no. 67 january 2018 contents to our readers · no. 67, january 2018 contents to our readers 1 staff...
Post on 06-Sep-2019
4 Views
Preview:
TRANSCRIPT
http://www-naweb.iaea.org/nafa/index.html
http://www.fao.org/ag/portal/index_en.html No. 67, January 2018
Contents To Our Readers 1
Staff 4
VETLAB Network Bulletin 6
Forthcoming Events 8
Past Events 8
Stories 18
Coordinated Research Projects 23
Activities at the Animal Production
and Health Laboratory 26
Technical Cooperation Projects 31
Publications 36
To Our Readers
Healthy replacement stock in a Brazilian farm
Dear colleagues,
In this newsletter, we report on some programmatic
achievements and actions conducted during 2017. As part
of our regular Coordinated Research Project (CRP)
activities and technical support given to national and
regional Technical Cooperation (TC) projects, the Animal
Production and Health (APH) team was fully involved in
capacity building through national and regional training
courses, where more than 30 courses were held with the
participation of nearly 600 professionals and technicians
from Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America. On top of
this, several technical meetings were conducted where
policies, future actions, work plans and technical
requirements from Member States (MS) for improving
animal health and livestock production were discussed and
agreed. Similarly, as a result of these meetings sound
guidance for sustainable farming systems, for enhancing
international trade of animals and animal products and for
improving food security was given to policy decision
makers and national health authorities.
Animal Production & Health Newsletter, No. 67, January 2018
2
Just to mention a few examples, national, regional and
interregional training courses were delivered on sampling,
data collection, laboratory techniques and interpretation of
results for a number of viral diseases, differential diagnosis
of infectious animal diseases using multiparametric
pathogen detection technologies for African and Asian
participants, characterization of bacterial and viral animal
pathogens for Asian countries, workshops for detection and
differentiation of avian influenza viruses focused on the
European region, the use of the genetic sequencing services
for Member States, and the early and rapid detection and
differentiation of the Middle East respiratory syndrome in
camels for scientists from Middle Eastern Member States.
In response to the call of several Member States for
technical assistance, APH in cooperation with the IAEA’s
Department of Technical Cooperation held a technical
meeting on surveillance and data management of emerging
and re-emerging zoonotic diseases including Ebola virus in
Vienna with 150 participants from 40 African countries to
discuss communication, early warning and response
schemes for these diseases as well as the gaps and needs to
strengthen national and regional capacities for prevention
and control of zoonotic diseases.
In addition, and as part of the VETLAB activities, a
coordination meeting was conducted in Vienna with
18 directors of veterinary African laboratories and 17 from
Asia, thanks to the support of the African Renaissance
Fund and the IAEA’s Peaceful Uses Initiative. The results
of the meeting indicated that most laboratories have
improved their capacities, broadened their scope in
pathogen detection and are moving towards the
implementation of quality management systems and
ISO17025 accreditation. Moreover, the access and use of
the sequencing service provided by the APH
subprogramme to VETLAB partner laboratories to improve
disease diagnostic is growing successfully.
We were also involved in the early and effective diagnoses
and control of emerging and re-emerging transboundary
animal and zoonotic diseases, such as lumpy skin disease in
eastern Europe and the Balkans, highly pathogenic avian
influenza H5N1/H5N8/H7N9 in western Africa, Europe
and Asia, peste des petits ruminants (PPR) in Asia and
Africa, Rift Valley fever (RVF) and Ebola in western
Africa and African swine fever in eastern Europe and
Africa.
On the other side of the coin, the demand of Member States
for technical assistance for the establishment and enhancing
of semen processing laboratories and for the application of
assisted reproductive technologies is shown in the number
of TC projects in the current TC cycle. Based on that,
capacity building on semen preservation, artificial
insemination, on-farm reproduction management services,
recording phenotype and performance data, genetic
evaluation and selection, assisted reproductive techniques,
and animal breeding were conducted through several
regional and national training courses in Latin America,
Africa and Asia. The regional TC project in Latin America
aiming to decreasing gastrointestinal parasite infestation in
sheep through the identification of genetically resistant
breeding rams based on phenotypic data and related genetic
markers and their use in breeding programmes is
generating excellent results, especially in Argentina,
Uruguay and Brazil, and this is being used as a model in
other countries of the region.
The Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in
Food and Agriculture has a long history of assisting
Member States in the application of simple and robust
nuclear and related technologies for diagnosing and
controlling infectious livestock diseases including those at
the animal and human interface. These technologies have
been adapted, validated and standardized through various
mechanisms such as CRPs and subsequently transferred,
established and applied on a wider scale through TC
projects. Their relevance, utility and value were clearly
evident from the results and reports of project counterparts.
The technical results accumulated from previous years
placed the APH as one of the major international
contributors towards the improvement of livestock
productivity and livelihood of the rural community as well
as in food security.
Training on bat captures and sample collection for surveying emerging
zoonotic diseases
CRPs on animal health have dealt with molecular
techniques for differentiating foot-and-mouth disease
(FMD) infected animals from vaccinated animals, PCR and
ELISA techniques for the diagnosis of Trypanosoma, RVF,
PPR, FMD and avian influenza, use of irradiated vaccines
in the control of transboundary animal diseases (TADs),
use of stable isotopes to trace bird migrations associated to
the epidemiology of avian influenza; the current CRP on
animal breeding and reproduction is focussing on the
application of genomic tools for the selection of superior
breeding stock, based on the success made on the genetic
characterization of small ruminants and on the genetic
variation on the resistance to internal parasitism. Finally, in
the current CRP on animal nutrition, the stable isotope
technology has been introduced for the estimation of intake
of animals grazing on pasture and ranch land. As you may
Animal Production & Health Newsletter, No. 67, January 2018
3
recall, one of the major examples of success was the unique
contributions towards the eradication of rinderpest through
the development and distribution of validated and
standardized ELISA kits, the provision of training and a
laboratory quality assurance programme to IAEA and FAO
Member States.
We are fully committed and pleased by the wide
acceptance and participation of animal disease diagnostic
laboratories in the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories
Network (VETLAB Network). The aims and key
contribution of this interregional laboratory network is to
develop, evaluate, validate and implement serological,
molecular, nuclear, nuclear related and nuclear derived
technologies for the control of TADs and zoonotic
diseases; to support coordination and harmonization of
national, regional and global approaches for early warning,
efficient detection and early response to animal disease
surveillance; to enhance capacity and cross boundary
collaborations to enable more effective responses to
transboundary animal diseases; to build trust for enhanced
transparency and mutual confidence in disease information;
and to facilitate a dynamic approach for interaction
between countries and enhance information sharing
between national veterinary laboratories. Initially, the
VETLAB Network included veterinary diagnostic
laboratories in Africa and it was later expanded to include
Asian laboratories. As of December 2017, the VETLAB
Network is comprised of 44 members in Africa and 19 in
Asia, with efforts to extend the VETLAB network into
western and eastern Europe and Latin America.
It is also important to mention that in this semester, we
were involved in close collaboration with many of you in
the technical planning of project concepts for new TC
projects proposed by Member States for the 2018–2019
biennial project cycle and in the preparation of the IAEA’s
and FAO’s 2018–2019 Programme of Work and Budget.
Both past and future activities are described in detail in this
newsletter and are also accessible at our website
(https://www.iaea.org/topics/livestock) (http://www-
naweb.iaea.org/nafa/aph/index.html). Please contact us if
you have any further ideas, comments, concerns or
questions. As discussed in previous newsletters, the Animal
Production and Health Subprogramme will continue to
move progressively forward and in pace with developments
within the livestock field to optimally serve our Member
States.
Concerning news from the Subprogramme, we want to
welcome Mr Tesfaye Chibssa, Mr Francis Chuma and
Ms Vandana Manomohan. Mr Chibssa is a veterinarian
working at the National Animal Health Diagnostic and
Investigation Centre (NAHDIC) in Ethiopia. Under the
direct supervision of Mr Charles Lamien in the Animal
Production and Health Laboratory (APHL) and the
tutorship of Prof Dr Reingard Grabherr at the University of
Natural Resources and Life Sciences, in Vienna, Austria,
he is developing his PhD thesis on early diagnoses and
development of novel vaccines for capripox viruses.
Mr Chuma is a senior research technician working at the
International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) in
Nairobi, Kenya. Under the direct supervision of Mr Viskam
Wijewardana, Mr Chuma will contribute to the
development of a repository of monoclonal antibodies
useful for immunological and vaccine studies in ruminants
and accessible to Member States. Ms Manomohan is doing
her Masters at Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Science
University, India. She will spend an internship period in
APHL under the supervision of Mr Kathiravan Periasamy
and train on genetic and population structure analysis of
indigenous zebu cattle. We hope that they will have a
pleasant and productive time with the Subprogramme.
Sadly, we also said goodbye to Ms Juliette Elsan and
Ms Anna Gaggl. Ms Elsan and Ms Gaggl spent an
internship on animal health and animal genetics,
respectively. They are now returning to their studies and
respective careers. On behalf of the whole APH team, I
would like to wish the best success with the continuation of
their careers.
Finally, I wish you all and your families a happy, healthy
and safe 2018.
Gerrit Viljoen
Head, Animal Production and Health Section
Animal Production & Health Newsletter, No. 67, January 2018
4
Staff
Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture
Name Title Email Extension Location
Qu LIANG Director, NAFA Q.Liang@iaea.org 21610 Vienna
Animal Production and Health Section Name Title Email Extension Location
Gerrit J. VILJOEN Section Head G.J.Viljoen@iaea.org 26053 Vienna
Ivancho NALETOSKI Veterinarian, Serologist I.Naletoski@iaea.org 26054 Vienna
Mohammed SHAMSUDDIN Veterinarian, Livestock
Reproductionist/Breeder
M.Shamsuddin@iaea.org 21619 Vienna
Hermann UNGER Veterinarian, Virologist H.Unger@iaea.org 21644 Vienna
Mario GARCIA PODESTA Veterinarian, Theriogenologist M.Garcia-Podesta@iaea.org 26048 Vienna
Roswitha REITER Programme Assistant R.Reiter@iaea.org 26052 Vienna
Svetlana PIEDRA CORDERO Team Assistant S.Piedra-Cordero@iaea.org 26051 Vienna
Fabia BAPTISTA Team Assistant F.Baptista@iaea.org 26051 Vienna
Giovanni CATTOLI Laboratory Head G.Cattoli@iaea.org 28355 Seibersdorf
Charles E. LAMIEN Biochemist C.Lamien@iaea.org 28314 Seibersdorf
Kathiravan PERIASAMY Livestock Geneticist Breeder K.Periasamy@iaea.org 28358 Seibersdorf
Viskam WIJEWARDANA Immunologist V.Wijewardana@iaea.org 28380 Seibersdorf
Richard KANGETHE Molecular Parasitologist R.T.Kangethe@iaea.org 28385 Seibersdorf
Rudolf PICHLER Livestock Geneticist Rudolf.Pichler@iaea.org 28378 Seibersdorf
Bharani SETTYPALLI Molecular Biologist T.B.K.Settypalli@iaea.org 28252 Seibersdorf
Francisco BERGUIDO Immunologist F.Berguido@iaea.org 28356 Seibersdorf
William DUNDON Molecular Microbiologist W.Dundon@iaea.org 28379 Seibersdorf
Tesfaye CHIBSSA Veterinarian, Biotechnologist T.R.Chibssa@iaea.org 28314 Seibersdorf
Francis CHUMA Research Associate, Biotechnology F.Chuma@iaea.org 28356 Seibersdorf
Joanna MLETZKO Team Assistant J.Mletzko@iaea.org 28362 Seibersdorf
Animal Production and Health Section
Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture
Head Office: Vienna International Centre, P.O. Box 100, A-1400 Vienna, Austria
Telephone: (+43 1) 2600+Extension; Fax (+43 1) 26007
Animal Production and Health Laboratory, APHL
FAO/IAEA Agriculture & Biotechnology Laboratories, Friedenstrasse 1, A-2444 Seibersdorf, Austria
Telephone: (+43 1) 2600+Extension; Fax (+43 1) 26007
The Animal Production and Health Laboratory, Seibersdorf, is an OIE Collaborating Centre
for ELISA and molecular technologies in animal disease diagnosis
Animal Production & Health Newsletter, No. 67, January 2018
5
Animal Production and Health Section
G. VILJOEN I. NALETOSKI M. SHAMSUDDIN H. UNGER
M. GARCIA R. REITER S. CORDERO F. BAPTISTA
G. CATTOLI C. LAMIEN K. PERIASAMY V. WIJEWARDANA
R. PICHLER B. SETTYPALLI R. KANGETHE W. DUNDON
F. BERGUIDO J. MLETZKO T. CHIBSSA F. CHUMA
Animal Production & Health Newsletter, No. 67, January 2018
6
Animal Production & Health Newsletter, No. 67, January 2018
7
Animal Production & Health Newsletter, No. 67, January 2018
8
Forthcoming Events
Mid-term Coordination Meeting of
TC RLA5071 Decreasing the Parasite
Infestation Rate of Sheep
(ARCAL CXLIV)
Technical Officer: Mohammed Shamsuddin
The coordination meeting will take place from 12 to
16 March 2018 in San José, Costa Rica.
All national project coordinators will be invited to review
the progress made and to define additional activities based
on the project work plan for the final two years of the
project.
PPR Global Eradication Programme
and PPR Global Research and
Expertise Network (PPR GREN)
Meeting
Technical Officer: Gerrit Viljoen
The meeting will take place from 16 to 20 April 2018 in
Vienna, Austria.
The purpose of the event is to launch the Global Research
and Expertise Network on Peste des Petits Ruminants
(PPR GREN), to discuss priority research opportunities in
the light of the strategic needs of the FAO/OIE PPR
Global Eradication Programme and to build strong
partnerships between researchers, research institutes,
regional organizations and development partners.
Third Research Coordination
Meeting on the Early and Rapid
Diagnosis and Control of TADs
Phase II - African Swine Fever
(D32031)
Technical Officer: Hermann Unger
The research coordination meeting will take place from
11 to 14 June 2018 in Greifswald, Germany.
The purpose of the event is to present the results of the
coordinated research project ‘Early and Rapid Diagnosis
and Control of Transboundary Animal Diseases – Phase II:
African Swine Fever’ and to prepare the final project
report.
Past Events
Second Research Coordination
Meeting on Early Detection of
Transboundary Animal Diseases to
Facilitate Prevention and Control
through a Veterinary Diagnostic
Laboratory Network (D32032)
Technical Officer: Ivancho Naletoski
The research coordination meeting was held from 7 to
11 August 2017 in Vienna, Austria.
Partners of the project discussed the project achievements
as well as the future activities of the coordinated research
project D32032 ‘Early detection of transboundary animal
diseases (TADs) to facilitate prevention and control
through a Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory Network’
(VETLAB Network).
Participants of the Second Research Coordination Meeting
of the CRP D32032 at the VIC
The partners in the project designed procedures and started
the production of reference materials. The achievements
could be divided in three groups: partners with developed
working procedures under preparation (Côte d'Ivoire,
Morocco and Sudan for PPR, rabies and brucellosis,
respectively); partners who have already produced certain
amounts of standard reference materials, but have not been
able to inactivate and aliquot them appropriately yet
(Argentina, Cameroon and Ethiopia for brucellosis,
African swine fever and capripox virus standards,
respectively); and partners who delivered products
(Croatia delivered 4 x 150 aliquoted standards for avian
influenza virus (AIV) and Newcastle disease virus (NDV),
and the FYR of Macedonia adapted 25 validated SOPs for
the priority diseases and 15 other SOPs under finalization).
It is realistic to expect that by the end of the second year of
the project we will have products from all partners.
Animal Production & Health Newsletter, No. 67, January 2018
9
Coordination Meeting with Directors
of Veterinary Laboratories in Africa
and Asia
Technical Officer: Charles Lamien
The coordination meeting took place from 8 to 11 August
2017 in Vienna, Austria.
This was the second joint coordination meeting of the
VETLAB network gathering veterinary laboratories
directors supported by the African Renaissance Fund and
the Peaceful Uses Initiative to Strengthen Animal Disease
Diagnostic Capacities in Africa and Asia.
The laboratory heads from 18 VETLAB partner
laboratories in 17 African and Asian countries namely
Bangladesh, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad,
Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo,
Ethiopia (NAHDIC - National Animal Health Diagnostic
& Investigation Center, and NVI - National Veterinary
Institute), Lao PDR, Mali, Mongolia, Mozambique,
Namibia, Nepal, Senegal, United Republic of Tanzania,
Zambia attended the meeting to provide update on their
progress, achievements and challenges met in 2016–2017
and to formulate their work plans for 2018.
Participants of the VETLAB Coordination Meeting held in Vienna,
Austria from 8 to 11 August 2017
From the presentations and discussions that followed, it
appears that each individual laboratory has broadened its
scope in pathogen detection, including in some cases the
use of advance technology such as multi-parametric
pathogen detection. Furthermore, thanks to the sequencing
service facilitated by the Joint FAO/IAEA Division,
VETLAB partner laboratories from four countries are now
using sequencing to improve disease diagnostic and further
understand the spread of pathogens.
Another important highlight is that most VETLAB partner
laboratories are pushing toward the implementation of
quality management system (QMS) and ISO17025
accreditation. QMS in already in place in several
VETLAB partner laboratories, with the most advanced
having increased the number of assays under ISO17025
accreditation, and the least advanced, having appointed a
quality officer and developed their quality manual and
SOPs. Regarding laboratory performance and prestige, it
was noticed that the local visibility and credibility has
improved for most laboratories. This was confirmed by the
fact that some VETLAB partner laboratories such as
NAHDIC and NVI (Ethiopia) and Laboratoire National
d'Élevage (LNE, in Burkina Faso), have received funding
from local authorities for laboratory refurbishment and
extension expansion.
The improved capacities of the laboratories also led to an
increased trust of VETLAB partner laboratories by their
local authorities. Three countries, Cameroon, the
Democratic Republic of the Congo and Mongolia, notified
new outbreaks in 2016–2017 based on local VETLAB
partner laboratory results. In addition, through well-
structured discussion sessions, the meeting participants
exposed their major constraints in disease diagnostics,
including the implementation of quality systems. Common
strategies and solutions were identified to strengthen their
laboratory capacities to cope with the major transboundary
animal (TADs) and zoonotic diseases in Africa and Asia
and better contribute to their respective national and
regional TADs control strategies.
During the meeting, Dr Massimo Scacchia (from IZSAM -
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del
Molise Giuseppe Caporale, Teramo, Italy) manager of the
project ‘Enhancing Research for Africa Network’
(ERFAN), presented practical experiences and challenges
related to the implementation of the laboratory quality
systems in African countries.
The meeting was held in parallel with the second RCM of
the VETLAB CRP D32032 (Early Detection of
Transboundary Animal Diseases to Facilitate Prevention
and Control through a Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
Network) to allow for interaction between the laboratory
directors and the CRP experts and their critical assessment
of the CRP work plan.
The partner laboratories supported the proposed objectives
and new work plan of the VETLAB CRP to promote the
production of secondary standards for the implementation
of quality system. Moreover, agreement was made on
strategies to promote the use of multi-parametric detection
of pathogens and the use of sequencing.
Animal Production & Health Newsletter, No. 67, January 2018
10
Strengthening Capacities for
Surveillance, Data Management and
Reporting of Emerging or Re-
emerging Zoonotic Diseases (EZDs),
including Ebola Virus Disease
(RAF0042)
Technical Officers: Ivancho Naletoski and Hermann Unger
The meeting was held from 21 to 25 August 2017 at the
IAEA headquarters in Vienna, Austria, and brought
together over 150 participants from 40 African countries.
The main national actors of the One Health (OH) networks
comprising representatives from the veterinary, public
health and wildlife sectors discussed the communication,
early warning and response schemes for emerging and re-
emerging zoonotic diseases (ERZDs). Additionally, they
discussed the existing infrastructures and procedures in
place, as well as the gaps and needs to strengthen national
and regional capacities for prevention and control of
ERZDs.
Participants in the RAF0042 meeting on Strengthening Capacities for
Surveillance, Data Management and Reporting of ERZDs, including
Ebola Virus Disease
Based on the presentations and discussions held at the
meeting, the participants developed an action plan to
strengthen the national strategies and plans for prevention
and control of ERZDs, comprised of eight major points as
follows: to strengthen the biosafety culture in the field; to
strengthen biosafety in laboratories, through biosafety
trainings in Member States (MS); to strengthen diagnostic
capacities, prioritizing techniques working with
inactivated pathogens (such as molecular techniques); to
implement procedures that facilitate sample preparation,
transport and delivery to designated laboratories; to
develop a framework for the implementation of a national
OH approach using existing structures and available tools
and procedures; to facilitate field exercises to identify
shortcomings in the response chain; to establish OH
structures at national levels to map the responsible entities
and focal points.
Special attention was given to the harmonization and
accreditation of designated laboratories (the last major
point mentioned above), in which the invited experts
presented a clear roadmap for the future guidance of
African laboratories towards an international accreditation
under ISO 17025 standards.
Consultancy Meeting on Nuclear and
Nuclear-derived Techniques for Early
Pregnancy Diagnosis in Cattle
Technical Officer: Mohammed Shamsuddin
The meeting was held from 22 to 25 August 2017 at the
Vienna International Centre, Vienna, Austria.
The objectives of the meeting were to review and
summarize the current state of knowledge on pregnancy
related molecules (proteins, interferon tau gene,
microRNAs) as candidates for developing early pregnancy
diagnosis tools; identify tools and techniques for early
pregnancy diagnosis that can be applied along with the
artificial insemination (AI) field services in developing
countries, develop protocols/guidelines to validate/adapt
proven techniques for early pregnancy diagnosis under
prevailing dairy production systems in the tropics; and
identify requirements in terms of equipment, biologicals,
isotope labelling of pregnancy associated glycoprotein
(PAG) and others for radioimmunoassay assay.
Five experts, two fellows and five IAEA staff members
participated in the meeting. The experts were Professor
Jean-Francois Beckers (Belgium), Dr Carlos Lamothe
Zavaleta (Mexico), Dr Niamh Forde (UK), Dr Xavier
Donadeu (UK) and Professor Matthew C. Lucy (US).
Participants of the consultancy meeting
The updated knowledge on early pregnancy diagnosis in
cattle, including proven tools and techniques and
promising pregnancy related molecules was reviewed.
Results of recent research show that the pregnancy
Animal Production & Health Newsletter, No. 67, January 2018
11
associated glycoproteins (PAG) can be used to identify
pregnant and non-pregnant cows as early as day 25 after
artificial insemination or natural mating. Existing methods
are mainly used in Bos taurus animals under specialized
dairy systems, but has not been validated for Bos indicus
breeds, crossbreds and indigenous breeds in developing
countries under low-input production systems. A protocol
was prepared on a pilot study using radioimmunoassay
(RIA) as gold standard to validate robust enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assay (ELISA) protocols in various
genetic populations of cattle at different production
systems for the determination of PAG concentrations in
blood and in milk on days 35–42 after service.
Biological changes in MicroRNAs in the bloodstream and
in milk show strong potential for their use as biomarkers to
identify pregnancy in cattle as early as 18 days after
service. A research protocol was developed where
miRNAs will be determined in blood and milk by PCR
and progesterone levels and uterine ultrasound
examination will be used as gold standards.
The conceptus produces and releases proteins to the
uterine environment which can be targeted by direct
measure of pregnancy success on day 16 after mating. One
gap in our knowledge is to know which of these proteins
are actively being synthesized by the conceptus during
successful early pregnancy. A research protocol was
developed to harness the nuclear technology by culturing
conceptuses with radiolabelled amino acids (e.g. sulfur-35)
to identify proteins produce during early pregnancy. RIA
will be used to test for candidate proteins in serum and or
milk.
Nuclear techniques and the use of radiolabelling of
hormones, proteins and amino acids play a key role in
identifying and monitoring hormones and proteins
associated with early pregnancy in cattle.
The participants agreed that the implementation of the
pilot studies and research protocols developed in the
Consultants Meeting can provide useful tools and
methodologies for an effective diagnosis of pregnant and
non-pregnant cows in early stages of gestation and
facilitate the expansion of artificial insemination services.
Regional Workshop on the Advanced
Techniques for Detection and
Differentiation of Avian Influenza
Viruses, in the Light of Current
Outbreaks of Avian Influenza in
Europe (RER9137)
Technical Officers: Giovanni Cattoli and Ivancho Naletoski
As a response to the recent outbreaks of avian influenza,
predominantly subtype H5N8, IAEA through the Animal
Production and Health (APH) Subprogramme and the
Technical Cooperation (TC) department organized a
training course for the Member States of the European
region on the advanced techniques for detection and
differentiation of avian influenza (AI) viruses. The course
was held from 11 to 22 September 2017 at the IAEA, in
the APH laboratories in Seibersdorf, Austria. Twenty-three
participants, each from one Member State of the IAEA
European region attended the course. The mains topics
covered at the training course were: advanced diagnostics
of AI viruses (techniques used for screening, confirmation,
direct pathotyping and use of techniques for differentiation
of vaccine from field virus strains); application of
diagnostic techniques in surveillance and early detection,
including tracing migration of wild birds using stable
isotopes; advanced bioinformatics and genetic
characterization (conventional versus whole genome and
next generation sequencing); and laboratory networking in
the support of the surveillance and control programmes.
Fourteen international experts supported the course with
their lectures, presentations and on-the-spot practical
exercises.
Participants at the regional training course on the advanced techniques
for detection and differentiation of avian influenza viruses, in the light
of current outbreaks of avian influenza in Europe (RER9137)
Training Course on Health
Management of Small Ruminants
with Emphasis on Gastrointestinal
Parasitism (RLA5071)
Technical Officers: Mohammed Shamsuddin and Mario
Garcia
The regional training course took place from 25 to
29 September 2017. The course was organized by the
Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (UPCH) in the city
of Huancayo, Peru, and hosted by the Universidad
Nacional del Centro, the Agrarian Experimental Station
Santa Ana of the National Institute of Agrarian Innovation
(INIA), the experimental station of the IVITA Research
Center of Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos and
Animal Production & Health Newsletter, No. 67, January 2018
12
the SAIS Tupac Amaru. Mr Nino Arias was the local
organizer.
The course was organized for the Latin American and
Caribbean countries participating in TC Project RLA5071.
The purpose was to improve the knowledge and skills of
the participants in the health management of sheep and
goats, with emphasis on diagnosis, control and prevention
of gastrointestinal parasite infections.
Course participants of the training course held in Puno, Peru
(25 to 29 September 2017)
Seventeen participants from nine countries and six local
staff from the Universidad Nacional del Centro attended
the course. Lectures and laboratory work were carried out
by Dr Zully Hernández from the Universidad de la
Republica, Uruguay, the technical officer and six
professionals from local host institutes. The course
involved theoretical presentations and practical work on
the productive performance and management of
production diseases of sheep and goat, internal and
external parasites in small ruminants, processing of
biological samples, including blood and faeces for
pathogen detection, parasitological laboratory techniques,
including faecal egg counts, and drug-resistance parasites.
In addition, a field trip was conducted to one of the largest
livestock cooperatives in the country located at 4000
meters above the sea level to get an on-site understanding
of the local health management programme. Laboratory
material, including McMaster chambers for parasite egg
counting was handed over to all participants.
The course participants highly appreciated the course
modules, especially the printed manual which the
participants considered a useful guide for investigations of
gastrointestinal parasite infection in the farm and
confirmatory diagnosis in the laboratory. Based on the
discussions, gastrointestinal parasitism was considered a
serious health problem in sheep and goat in all the
participating countries. However, parasite species vary
greatly among participating countries. Fasciola hepatica
was common and a major concern while the severity of
Dictiocaulus viviparus depended on the country and
regions within countries. Brucellosis was the most
common infectious disease in sheep and goats in the
participating countries where national programmes for its
control are in place.
The various venues and facilities provided by the local
organizer were effective for the success of the training and
the participants were highly motivated and participated
actively in discussions with lecturers and technical staff.
Training Course on the Diagnosis of
Transboundary Animal Diseases:
Multiple Pathogen Detection
Technical Officer: Charles Lamien
The purpose of this training was to strengthen the Member
States (MS) veterinary diagnostic and research laboratory
capacities for differential diagnosis of infectious animal
diseases using multiparametric pathogen detection
technologies. With these techniques, it is possible to detect
and differentiate pathogens causing infectious diseases
which have similar clinical signs using a single reaction
vessel. The continuous expansion of transboundary animal
diseases (TADs) and zoonotic animal diseases into new
geographical areas and the emergence of new diseases
required the adaptation of disease diagnostics and disease
surveillance techniques to face these new challenges.
Recent scientific advances have allowed the development
of technologies adapted to identify emerging/re-emerging
pathogens or provide a more accurate identification of
pathogens (e.g. pathotyping, genotyping). Therefore,
multiplex serological and molecular tests which can be
effectively implemented in MS veterinary laboratories will
broaden the scope for infectious disease diagnostics by
allowing for differential diagnosis of diseases presenting
similar clinical symptoms and a more accurate
identification and characterization of the pathogens.
Participants of the VETLAB training course on multiple pathogens
detection, held in Seibersdorf, Austria
The training consisted of lectures on the principles and
practical sessions on the applications of multiparametric
technologies for the diagnosis of the major transboundary
Animal Production & Health Newsletter, No. 67, January 2018
13
and zoonotic animal diseases threatening the livelihood
and the health of the population in several Member States
in Africa and Asia. The trainers were experts from the
Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD),
France; Federal Research Institute for Animal Health,
Germany; Luminex Corporation, Netherlands and the Joint
FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and
Agriculture.
Twenty participants from VETLAB partner laboratories in
19 African and Asian countries (Bangladesh, Botswana,
Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire,
Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lao
P.D.R., Mali, Mongolia, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal,
Senegal, United Republic of Tanzania and Zambia)
attended this training course which took place from
25 September to 6 October 2017 at the laboratories in
Seibersdorf, Austria.
Training Course on the Diagnosis of
Transboundary Animal Diseases:
Early Detection and
Characterizations
Technical Officer: Charles Lamien
Transboundary animal diseases (TADs) have a serious
impact on the global economy of several African
countries, threatening the food security and the livelihoods
of livestock farmers. In addition, some TADs of zoonotic
nature, such as avian influenza (AI), Rift Valley fever
(RVF) and brucellosis have recently emerged or re-
emerged on the continent. The emergence of H5N8 AI on
the African continent and the increasing incidence of RVF,
with the lastest human fatalities recorded in Niger in 2016,
are concrete examples. To mitigate the spread of these
TADs within country and between countries and the
spillover of zoonotic diseases to humans, the capacity of
veterinary diagnostic laboratories must be improved
through the constant update of new diagnostic tools
developed to identify and track the evolution of the
pathogens responsible for the diseases.
With that in mind, the main purpose of this training was to
strengthen the participants’ ability to detect and conduct
surveillance of major viral and bacterial pathogens
affecting poultry and ruminants including those of
zoonotic nature, as well as performing their corresponding
epidemiological studies. The training course took place
from 23 October to 3 November 2017 at the National
Veterinary Institute (NVI), Debre Zeit, Ethiopia.
The training consisted of lectures and practical sessions on
applications of molecular and serological diagnostics,
differential diagnostics and molecular epidemiology for
highly pathogenic Influenza viruses, Newcastle disease
virus, and infectious bronchitis virus in poultry and RVF,
Brucella and pox diseases in ruminants and camels. The
trainers were experts from the National Institute for
Communicable Diseases, South Africa; the Istituto
Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie (IZSVe), Italy;
the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del
Molise (IZSAM), Italy; the African Union Pan Veterinary
Vaccine Centre (PANVAC), Ethiopia; the National
Veterinary Institute (NVI), Ethiopia and the Joint
FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and
Agriculture.
Participants of the training course
Twenty-two scientists from veterinary diagnostic
laboratories in 16 African countries (Botswana, Burkina
Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic
Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mali,
Mozambique, Namibia, Senegal, United Republic of
Tanzania, Zambia and Niger/PANVAC), all members of
the VETLAB Network, attended this training course.
Regional Training Course on the
Diagnosis of Transboundary Animal
Diseases (VIE5019)
Technical Officers: Gerrit Viljoen and Giovanni Cattoli
The training course took place from 6 to 17 November
2017 at the National Centre for Veterinary Diagnostic
(NCVD), Hanoi, Viet Nam. The course was organized by
NCVD and by the International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA) through the Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear
Techniques in Food and Agriculture with the support of
the Department of Technical Cooperation, Division of
Asia and the Pacific.
The purpose of this training was to strengthen diagnostic
capacities in the national veterinary laboratories of the
region for the identification and classification of pathogens
responsible for animal infectious diseases of major
interest, including rabies, capripox infections, leptospirosis
and animal clostridiosis.
Twenty participants from veterinary laboratories in Viet
Nam, Myanmar, Lao PDR and Thailand attended this
course. During the first week, the participants were trained
Animal Production & Health Newsletter, No. 67, January 2018
14
on qPCR techniques for detection of Clostridium
perfringens; MAT, ELISA and the LAMP techniques for
detection of Leptospirosis. In addition, the discussions
were on implementation of quality parameters including
documentation, auditing, quality check of qPCR data,
antigen titrations, use of quality controls, assay validations
and their advantages. The second week of training course
was focused on Capripox detection and genotyping using
real time PCR and differential diagnosis using multiplex
PCR and rabies detection using IFA, RIAD, Real-time
PCR and characterization by sequencing.
Participants of the training course on the diagnosis of transboundary
animal diseases (VIE5019) held in Hanoi, Viet Nam
National Training Workshop on the
Development of Teaching Modules on
Delivering Herd Health Services at
Smallholder Dairy Production
(BGD5030)
Technical Officers: Gerrit J. Viljoen and Mohammed
Shamsuddin
The event took place from 13 to 17 August 2017 at the
Bangladesh Agricultural University, in Mymensingh, with
Professor Musharraf Uddin Bhuiyan as the Course
Director.
The objectives of the training workshop were to review the
current modules in use for teaching theriogenology to
veterinary undergraduate students; to identify essential
resources and required changes in implementing effective
teaching modules; to enhance the skills of participants in
teaching theriogenology; and to suggest a step by step
development of theriogenology teaching modules where
students will have more time to invest in practicing animal
reproduction in clinics and farms.
Professor Christian Hanzen, from the University of Liège,
Belgium, and Mr Mohammed Shamsuddin, an IAEA staff
member, were facilitators of the training workshop. Fifteen
participants, nine from nine veterinary faculties in the
country and six veterinarians working in the field of dairy
production, attended the event. The training involved
theoretical lectures, demonstrations and practical exercises
while the workshop included a series of participatory
sessions to analyze the current theriogenology education in
Bangladesh and recommend a step by step development of
modules mobilization of resources for more effective
teaching-learning of theriogenology across veterinary
faculties.
Participants and guests at the opening of the training-workshop
All veterinary faculties teach students on similar subjects
and topics in theriogenology. However, a large variation
exists among institutes in the distribution of hours between
theoretical and practical classes and resources available to
conduct practical sessions. To improve students’ learning
and minimize variations, coordination among heads of
veterinary faculties was identified as the first prerequisite.
In addition, a four-step action plan was proposed.
Participants and guests in the closing of the training-workshop
Step 1 defines the main domains for clinical animal
reproduction and the number of hours to dedicate to each
domain. Suggested core domains were clinical methods to
investigate reproductive problems, disorders of
reproduction (male and female), obstetrics, reproductive
biotechnology, udder health management and management
of reproduction at the herd level. Reproductive anatomy
and physiology were considered prerequisites for the
theriogenology students. Step 2 defines specific objectives
of each chapter and for each practical exercise. Step 3
identifies specific contents with associated hours given by
demonstration (the teacher shows to the learners) or by
practical exercises (the learners are doing). Resources,
Animal Production & Health Newsletter, No. 67, January 2018
15
movability and farm connections must be organized
beforehand to save time and to maintain student
enthusiasm during the teaching and learning process. Step
4 develops questions and evaluation processes to address
each defined objective.
The bovine theriogenology education in Bangladesh needs
more resource allocation to enable students to practice by
themselves in the clinics and farms with reduced number
of theoretical lectures. Veterinary faculties in the country
should put in place a platform for continued discussion and
coordination for more hands-on practice.
Experts Meeting on the Preparation
of a Manual for Genetic Evaluation
and Selection of Small Ruminants for
Breeding to Enhance Resistance to
Gastrointestinal Parasites (RLA5071)
Technical Officer: Mohammed Shamsuddin
The experts meeting took place from 6 to 10 November
2017 in Cochabamba, Bolivia.
The objectives of the meeting were to finalize the manual
for small ruminant breeding that was outlined in an earlier
meeting in Asuncion, Paraguay in 2016.
The present meeting was attended by five experts: Mr
Mario Poli (Argentina), Mr Jose Fernando Garcia (Brazil),
Mr Victor M. Montenegro (Costa Rica), Mr Riccardo
Negrini (Italy), and Ms Virginia Goldberg (Uruguay). Mr
Mohammed Shamsuddin coordinated the event. The
meeting was opened by Professor Freddy Espinoza, Dean
of the Agronomy Faculty, Universidad Mayor de San
Simon.
Participants of the experts meeting
The experts presented outlines of individual chapters that
were assigned to them. This was followed by a focussed
discussion where contents of individual chapters and of the
manual as a whole were agreed. Thereafter, the experts
worked individually and completed drafting of the
chapters. The chapters were uploaded to Goggle Docs and
peer reviewing was conducted.
The manual includes four chapters: Chapter 1 describes
the small ruminant populations in Latin American and
Caribbean countries, their uses in the regional economy,
the current breeding situation and the challenges to address
sustainable production increases of the small ruminants.
Chapter 2 describes the identification and definition of
animal breeding tools to be used and the organization of
small ruminants breeding programmes in the region
addressing the diverse production systems. Chapter 3
focuses on the principles and practices for the collection,
quality management and integration of data and various
tools for the analysis of phenotypic data to make breeding
decisions. Chapter 4 describes the tools and guidelines for
genomic analysis to further enforce genetic evaluation and
breeding decision and the way forward for research and
practices in small ruminants breeding.
The manual will not only be a practical guide for young
professionals who are planning to initiate a new breeding
programme but also a good tool for training students and
professionals. The meeting recommended immediate
publication of the manual.
National Training Course on Tools
for Genetic Evaluation and Selection
for Breeding Alpacas (PER5032)
Technical Officer: Mohammed Shamsuddin
The training course took place from 11 to 22 September
2017 at Universidad Nacional del Altiplano, Puno, Peru.
Some of the course participants
The course was organized by the Instituto Peruano de
Energía Nuclear (IPEN) with Mr Juan Carlos Agapito
Panta as the Course Director. The IAEA appointed an
external lecturer, Dr Ricardo Negrini, from the Università
Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milano, Italy. The IAEA
Collaborating Centre on Animal Genomics and
Bioinformatics at São Paulo State University – UNESP,
Araçatuba, Brazil assigned Dr Yuri Tani Utsunomiyaas as
a cost-free lecturer.
The objective of the course was to increase the knowledge
and skills of participating professionals on the collection
Animal Production & Health Newsletter, No. 67, January 2018
16
of phenotypes, processing of data and basics for the
development of a breeding programme for alpacas and
analyses of such data using public domain software.
Forty-four participants from the Universidad Nacional del
Altiplano (Puno), Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia
(Lima), Universidad Nacional Agraria la Molina (Lima)
and the company Inca Tops attended the course.
Theoretical lectures, practical demonstrations and hands-
on sessions were conducted at the research facilities of the
National University of the Altiplano. The lectures included
basic concepts of classical genetic selection, lessons on
whole genomic sequencing, application of genomic
selection, genomic selection (advantages and pitfalls),
application of GWAS (genome-wide association study),
selection for disease resistance, conservation of genetic
diversity, and the power and promises of genome editing.
The practical sessions included demonstrations and hands-
on exercises on the management and statistical analysis of
data using various statistic tools.
Supporting University of Abomey-
Calavi to Strengthen its Newly
Introduced MSc Programme in the
Region on Feed Resources and
Animal Nutrition (BEN5010)
Technical Officer: Mohammed Shamsuddin
The training course took place from 27 November to
1 December 2017 at the University of Abomey-Calavi
(UAC), Benin.
Participants of the MSc-RANA programme
The course was organized by the Faculty of Agronomic
Sciences (FAS), UAC with Professor Mankpondji Frédéric
Houndonougbo as the course director. The IAEA
appointed an external lecturer, Dr. Paulo Salgado from
CIRAD Antsirabe, Antsirabe, Madagascar.
The objective of the course was to reinforce the newly
introduced MSc programme on Feed Resources and
Animal Nutrition (MSc-RANA: Ressources Alimentaires
et Nutrition Animal) of FAS-UAC by providing students
exposure to additional knowledge on animal production in
the region, especially through the connection of CIRAD’s
activities in Africa. An additional objective was to
contribute to the teaching modules of the MSc programme
of FAS-UAC.
Twelve students from three countries (Benin, Gabon,
Togo) currently studying MSc-RANA. This MSc
programme is an outcome of a recommendation adopted at
a regional workshop organized by the Specialization
Centre in Livestock in Niger through a Word Bank Project
(WAAPP/PPAAO). The enhanced capacity of FAS-UAC
developed through its partnership with the IAEA and FAO
was identified in the workshop and the UAC was given the
task of offeri the MSc-RANA course to post graduate
students from the region. ‘Capacity building support to
FAS-UAC through IAEA TC projects enabled us to
introduce this new MSc programme and we are thankful to
IAEA for that’, said the Course Director.
The MSc programme is composed of theoretical lectures,
demonstrations, practical and hands-on exercises and a
small research projects. All these endeavors are targeted to
developing effective skills on animal feed resources
management in students, laboratory analysis of feeds and
forages, building a database on locally available feed
resources and on farm feed formulation and feeding to
increase animal productivity.
The expert lecturer discussed and reviewed the MSC-
RANA programme with the FAS-UAC colleagues and has
provided his inputs for further effective learning and skill
development of the students.
Mid-Term Coordination Meeting
Improving Livestock Productivity
through Strengthened
Transboundary Animal Disease
Control using Nuclear Technologies
to Promote Food Security (RAF5068)
Technical Officer: Hermann Unger
The meeting was held in Livingstone, Zambia, from 27 to
31 March 2017. The objective was to review the progress
and the results achieved by the representatives of 17
Member States (MS) that took part in the meeting.
The participants presented the activities conducted in the
first part of the project. Relevant topics such as vector
borne disease monitoring, vector trapping identification
and mapping, and peri-urban small scale livestock
production were addressed. In addition, discussions were
taken on the characteristics and accomplishments of
training courses held during the year, the overall work plan
for the second part of the project was agreed and this
Animal Production & Health Newsletter, No. 67, January 2018
17
included individual work plans for each Member State, the
implementation of a training course on poultry disease
diagnostics with a side event on Newcastle disease
vaccination in early 2018.
The feedback from delegates on the activities carried out
so far was positive, despite the lack of national funding for
some of the activities in the countries. Vector monitoring
for West Nile fever (WNF) and Rift valley was carried out
in two countries and will continue. Some of the challenges
reported by meeting participants were the suspension of
field activities and services of entomology sections; the
limitation of feedback from farmers because the veterinary
service for peri-urban farmers are now offered by the
private sector; and the lack of national funding. Funding
for national field activities was seen as the major
stumbling block to achieve a bigger impact. The
participants agreed that some additional effort must be
made to call the attention of national authorities to the
importance of supporting AFRA activities in the field of
animal health.
Participants of RAF5068 Mid-term Meeting in Livingstone, Zambia
National Training Course on
Standardized Diagnostic Methods
and Sampling Procedures for Animal
Diseases (UGA5038)
Technical Officer: Hermann Unger
The training course took place from 10 to 14 October 2017
at the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and
Fisheries, Entebbe, Uganda. Mr Alfred Wejuli was the
course director and the IAEA appointed an external
lecturer, Mr Louis Fischer.
The purpose of the course was to harmonize diagnostic
methods and sampling processes for animal diseases.
Theoretical sessions covered diagnostic methods and
epidemiological aspects of avian influenza, Newcastle,
peste des petits ruminants (PPR), African swine fever, and
brucellosis as well as biosafety and quality control in
veterinary diagnostic laboratories. Sixteen participants
from various laboratories participated in the training.
Training on sample collection
Regional (AFRA) Training Course on
Vector Mapping and Surveillance
(RAF5068)
Technical Officer: Hermann Unger
The training course was conducted at the National Animal
Disease Diagnostics and Epidemiology Centre in Entebbe,
Uganda from 22 to 26 May 2017. The course was
officially opened by Dr Ademun Rose, Acting
Commissioner Animal Health. Mr Girma Urgeacha Kussa
(AU/IBAR-Addis Ababa) and Mr Joseph Opio (MAAIF)
acted as course facilitators.
The course participants were acquainted with data
collection techniques (GPS with some examples of a tsetse
entomological survey). Furthermore, practical exercises on
the use of GPS devices, installation of QGIS, hands-on
exercises to learn QGIS interface and basic operations and
how to use the GPS device were conducted. The
participants were taught how to explore and understand
coordinate systems. This was followed by a practical
exercise on setting projections in QGIS and a session on
understanding vector data and rasta data in GIS.
There was a practical exercise on spatial data collection
from public domains, creating new vector layers in QGIS,
creating point vector observations, working with raster
layers, plugins and geoprocessing tools. There were
exercises on data management in QGIS including query by
example, spatial querying, spatial selection, joining,
buffering (point line), intersection, reclassification, raster
calculation, and vectorization.
Finally, there was a presentation on map elements on how
to create maps using the QGIS map composer. Lectures
and practical work was conducted by two experts from
Ethiopia and two from Uganda. The course was attended
by 20 participants from 15 African countries.
Animal Production & Health Newsletter, No. 67, January 2018
18
Training Course on Wildlife (Bats)
Capture and Sampling for Surveying
Emerging Zoonotic Diseases
(RAF5073)
Technical Officer: Hermann Unger
The training course was conducted in Njala University,
Sierra Leone, from 22 November to 2 December 2017.
The objective of the training was to teach participants
good practices, including biosafety, for capturing bats and
sampling them for surveying emerging zoonotic diseases.
The training activities included biosafety in the field for
bat collection and sampling equipment. Course
participants were requested to prepare a new manual on
bat ecology, biology and capture procedures. The manual
is planned to be ready by April 2018, before the next
course takes place. The course was attended by 23
participants from 12 African countries.
National Training Courses on the
Diagnosis and Control of
Transboundary Animal Diseases
Technical Officer: Gerrit Viljoen
• Training course for the early and rapid diagnoses and
control of foot-and-mouth disease and contagious
bovine pleuropneumonia, held at the Botswana
National Veterinary Laboratory in November 2017 in
Gaborone, Botswana (BOT5015)
• Training course for the diagnoses and control of
animal brucellosis and animal rabies, held at the
National Animal Health Laboratory in August 2017 in
Vientiane, Laos (LAO5003)
• Training course on the identification and diagnoses of
avian influenza and Newcastle disease held at the
Department of Livestock Services, Ministry of
Agriculture and Food Security in June 2017 in
Maseru, Lesotho (LES5006)
• Training course on the diagnosis and control of
transboundary animal diseases at Belize Agricultural
Health Authority (BAHA) from 6 to 10 March 2017 in
Belmopan, Belize (BZE5007)
• Training course on the use of molecular diagnostic
technologies to detect African swine fever and avian
influenza, held in Maputo at the Agricultural Research
Institute of Mozambique (MOZ5006)
Stories
Latin American and the Caribbean
Countries Move to Animal Breeding
for Resistance to Parasites
“Use anthelmintic and kill animal parasites” – the
statement no longer stands true because parasites often
become resistant to chemicals that are being used as
anthelmintic in animal health management. Besides,
chemicals are expensive and they pose threats to human
health by adding toxic drug residues in the food chain. All
these have emerged as a big challenge against sheep and
goat farming in the Latin American and the Caribbean
(LAC) countries. Small ruminant rearing is not only the
second most important livestock industry in many
countries but also provides subsistence family income to
hundreds of thousands of smallholder families across the
Andes ecosystem.
Sheep flock in in industrial production system, Argentina
Two examples below show how serious parasite infections
and the issue of drug resistance are. In Argentina, due to
gastrointestinal parasites (GIP) infections, a sheep
produces between 15 and 20% less wool, which equals 1
kg of fleece/year – or US$ 2/animal/year. Besides, losses
due to death or poor body condition in breeding stocks can
be as high as US$ 70 and US$ 400 per ewe and ram,
respectively. Similarly, Uruguay has recorded up to 50%
death in lambs, 24% live weight loss and a loss of 29%
greasy fleece weight due to parasite infections. The
anthelmintic resistance in Uruguayan sheep farms is so
serious that except for Monepantel, a new drug introduced
seven years ago, none of the drugs efficiently work against
GIP.
But there is good news. Research from the Joint
FAO/IAEA Programme of Nuclear Techniques in Food
and Agriculture and collaborating Members States have
resulted in the development of tools for selecting sheep
and goats that are more resistant to parasites. The LAC
countries introduce breeding programmes to enhance the
resistance of national sheep and goat flocks against GIP.
Animal Production & Health Newsletter, No. 67, January 2018
19
Breeding animals with higher resistance is a natural and
sustainable method of controlling parasites because the
method is free of impact on the environment and public
health.
The project activities were planned and implemented to
enable participating institutes to apply both conventional
and nuclear-derived, innovative molecular techniques for a
proper genetic evaluation and selection of superior animals
for breeding to enhance their resistance to GIP. The
activities involved sharing information and experiences,
adoption of proven tools and techniques in animal
reproduction, breeding and health, development and
distribution of guidelines and manuals and building human
and laboratory capacities. Conventional techniques used
for on farm and laboratory investigations and diagnoses of
parasitic diseases were also included in the capacity
building package.
Sheep-goat flock in the smallholder production system in Andes
Altiplano, Bolivia
LAC countries are better prepared for the selection of
small ruminants for resistance to GIP
Argentina and Uruguay have incorporated GIP resistance-
related phenotypes in the selection of rams for breeding.
The proven phenotypes, visible inheritable characters that
can be measured, that reflect resistance are the counts of
worm eggs in the affected animal’s faeces (FEC), scoring
the anaemic status of an animal’s conjunctiva using a
proven colour chart called FAMACHA and the animals’
body weight gains. Brazil and Cuba have further improved
their animal genetic evaluation and selection processes
specifically to focus on resistance to GIP.
Before implementing the project, except for the countries
referred to above, the LAC countries did not have an
effective breeding programme in place to increase
resistance and improve productivity of small ruminants.
After two years of activities, all participating LAC
countries have piloted animal identification and data
acquisition for a proper genetic evaluation and selection of
superior animals for breeding.
Through four regional training courses, 88 professionals
from 12 countries were trained on animal identification
and collection of records on phenotypes and pedigree
information and of DNA samples for further analysis and
identification of markers related to parasites resistance;
tools and techniques on genetic evaluation and selection;
sheep and goat health management with emphasis on
parasite control; and application of assisted reproductive
techniques for rapid dissemination of selected traits in the
population. Laboratory capacities were enhanced in 12
countries through the provision of minor equipment, tools
and expert services where needed for farm and laboratory
diagnosis of GIP infections in animals. To conduct a
breeding programme on the ground, a guideline and a
manual were developed and distributed among the
participating LAC countries.
The project has had a significant impact on the
development of human resources and laboratory capacity
together with guidelines, manuals and protocols for the
genetic evaluation and selection of superior animals with
higher productivity and resistance to GIP. Data on this
document are generated from the ARCAL Regional
Project on controlling parasite by increasing animal
resistance (RLA5071).
Lanzhou University Supports
Capacity Building on Animal
Production Research Using Nuclear
Techniques
Under the Technical Cooperation (TC) programme of the
IAEA, five professionals, two from Cambodia, two from
Palestine and one from Papua New Guinea, received
trainings on the operation and application of modern
equipment and proven technologies on the state of the art
in animal nutrition research from Lanzhou University.
This six-week training also created a platform for sharing
information, knowledge and proven technologies that work
in the region. As the Head of the School of Life Sciences
of the Lanzhou University states, “This is not only a
training, but it also provides a medium for exchanging
ideas and sharing experiences. Through this, we
understand better the background and needs of trainees in
the regional context. New ideas and technology
applications are learned from each other, which are helpful
for future collaborations”
Animal Production & Health Newsletter, No. 67, January 2018
20
Professor Ruijun Long of the School of Life Sciences was
the Supervisor of the fellows. The principal instructor of
the group training was Dr Xi Li. The main objective of the
training was to get participants proficient in using HPLC
(high-performance liquid chromatography) technology in
feed analysis. The additional objective was to increase
their skills on conventional feed analysis and on-farm feed
formulation to enhance animal production.
Participants practice the operation of the HPLC
Besides learning principles and procedures, the fellows are
now capable of using HPLC to analyse micronutrients,
toxins and drug residues in feeds. Further, the training on
conventional feed analysis involved determination of
crude protein, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre,
ether extract and gross energy in locally available feed and
forage samples. The combination of advanced and
conventional feed analysis methods made the training very
useful in the context of fellows’ country needs.
The training was funded by three IAEA TC projects:
KAM5003, PAL5007 and PAP5002.
The fellow group joins at a theoretical lecture
Benin Introduces Artificial
Insemination in Cattle, Improving
Animal Breeding and Nutrition
November 2017. For the first time, the government of
Benin is introducing artificial insemination in cattle.
https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/benin-introduces-
artificial-insemination-in-cattle-improving-animal-
breeding-and-nutrition
Lesotho, Better Prepared to Fight
Animal Diseases
September 2017. Diagnosing animal diseases early and
rapidly is now possible in Lesotho, a country of two
million in southern Africa that up until recently relied on
foreign laboratories for analysis. Thanks to the support of
the IAEA and the Food and Agriculture Organization of
the United Nations (FAO), veterinary scientists in the
capital Maseru are, since June 2017, using nuclear and
nuclear derived technologies to identify and characterize
viruses that affect livestock and humans.
https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/lesotho-better-
prepared-to-fight-animal-diseases
DR Congo Scientists Control Avian
Influenza Outbreak Using Nuclear
Techniques
August 2017. Scientists in the Democratic Republic of the
Congo have identified a new outbreak of avian influenza
using highly specific and sensitive nuclear-derived
techniques. Thanks to a quick detection and
characterization of the virus and subsequent local
response, the outbreak is currently under control and
limited to the Lake Albert region, near the border with
Uganda, scientists have said.
https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/dr-congo-
scientists-control-avian-influenza-outbreak-using-nuclear-
techniques
Animal Production & Health Newsletter, No. 67, January 2018
21
Artificial Insemination Doubles Value
of Cambodian Cows, Increasing
Farmers' Income
June 2017. Rolling out the artificial insemination
programme for cattle in Cambodia would open up market
opportunities and increase farmers’ income, according to
researchers and veterinary officials in the province where a
pilot programme is under way with support from the IAEA
and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United
Nations (FAO).
https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/artificial-
insemination-doubles-value-of-cambodian-cows-
increasing-farmers-income
Using Nuclear Science to Expand the
Vaccines Portfolio (video)
July 2017. The discovery and production of vaccines were
a breakthrough in efforts to protect people and animals
from infectious diseases. Through vaccination, smallpox in
humans and rinderpest in animals, have both been
eradicated from the planet. However, the portfolio of
preventable diseases must expand. A number of innovative
vaccines is now in development, using an approach that
calls for irradiating the pathogens.
Video available in English, Spanish, French and Arabic
http://www-naweb.iaea.org/nafa/aph/aph-
multimedia.html#
FAO-AG Confers an Outstanding
Teamwork Award to the Animal
Genetic Resources Team
January 2017. The Animal Genetic Resources Team
receives Outstanding Teamwork Achievement Award
from FAO’s Agriculture and Consumer Protection
Department for its superior accomplishments in supporting
the Global Plan of Action for Animal Genetic Resources
and enhancing Member State capacities on
characterization, conservation and sustainable
improvement of locally-adapted livestock. The team is
comprised of staff from the Joint FAO/IAEA Division’s
Animal Production and Health Section and FAO’s Animal
Production and Health Division.
http://www-naweb.iaea.org/nafa/news/2017-fao-ag-award-
animal-genetic.html
IAEA Director General Highlights
IAEA Support for Development
during Myanmar Visit
July 2017. IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano
highlighted the important role of nuclear science and
technology in supporting sustainable development in his
discussions with State Counsellor and Union Minister for
Foreign Affairs Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, during his visit to
Myanmar last week.
https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/iaea-director-
general-highlights-iaea-support-for-development-during-
myanmar-visit
Differentiating Transboundary
Animal Diseases in a Single Test
March 2017. The IAEA, in partnership with the Joint
FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and
Agriculture, has developed a multi-pathogen assay at its
Animal Production and Health Laboratory in Seibersdorf,
Austria, that was validated in collaboration with veterinary
laboratories from the VETLAB Network. The assay
simultaneously detects the PPR virus and other pathogens
causing similar signs of disease. Thanks to this innovative
method, Member State scientists are now able to diagnose
diseases more efficiently, both in terms of time and costs.
https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/differentiating-
transboundary-animal-diseases-in-a-single-test
IAEA Helps Bulgaria Tackle Cattle
Disease with Nuclear-Derived
Technique (video)
July 2017. Traditionally common to Africa and Asia,
lumpy skin disease emerged in Turkey in 2013 and has
since rapidly spread through south-eastern Europe. The
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is providing
laboratory support and expertise to help countries battle
the cattle disease that can cause significant economic
losses to farmers.
https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/multimedia/videos/iaea-
helps-bulgaria-tackle-cattle-disease-with-nuclear-derived-
technique
Animal Production & Health Newsletter, No. 67, January 2018
22
Myanmar's Dairy Farmers Benefit
from Cattle Breeding Programme
Using Nuclear-based Techniques
January 2017. Genetic improvement of native cattle breeds
through radio-immune assay and artificial insemination
applications to increase milk production while retaining
their adaptability to the local environment and tolerance to
diseases, resulting in sustainable improvement of farmers
livelihood in Myanmar. The IAEA and the Food and
Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
have jointly supported Myanmar’s Livestock Breeding and
Veterinary Department in perfecting and rolling out
appropriate technologies across the country.
https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/myanmars-dairy-
farmers-benefit-from-cattle-breeding-programme-using-
nuclear-based-techniques
Vets in Africa Help Prevent Spread of
Zoonotic Diseases (video)
May 2017. Scientists are joining forces through the IAEA
to prevent the spread of diseases that can be transmitted
from animals to humans, known as zoonotic diseases.
https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/multimedia/videos/vets-
in-africa-help-prevent-spread-of-zoonotic-diseases
Vets in Africa Help Prevent Spread of
Ebola and Other Zoonotic Diseases
May 2017. During the Ebola epidemic of 2014, the IAEA
reacted quickly to provide specialized diagnostic
equipment to help combat the Ebola virus. With the
immediate crisis over, the focus is now on longer term
prevention. The IAEA, in partnership with the Food and
Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), is
providing expertise and equipment to help countries use
nuclear-derived techniques to detect zoonotic diseases and
respond to them.
https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/vets-in-africa-help-
prevent-spread-of-ebola-and-other-zoonotic-diseases
IAEA Brings Together Experts from
Africa to Increase Preparedness for
Ebola and Other Zoonotic Diseases
August 2017. The International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA) is bringing together African human health,
veterinary and wildlife experts this week to strengthen
early warning systems for managing animal-to-human, or
zoonotic, disease outbreaks.
https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/pressreleases/iaea-
brings-together-experts-from-africa-to-increase-
preparedness-for-ebola-and-other-zoonotic-diseases
Strengthening Africa’s Regional
Capacity for Diagnosis of Emerging
and Re-emerging Zoonotic Diseases
(two videos)
April 2017. A key issue in dealing with highly contagious
infectious zoonotic diseases is the personal safety of
medical and veterinary staff during processes where they
may be exposed to dangerous pathogens. To facilitate
dissemination of safety knowledge in this area, the Joint
FAO/IAEA Division has generated two videos: the first is
a general introduction to the topic itself; the second a step-
by-step instruction guide to the correct use of personal
protective equipment during field sampling.
Diagnosing Zoonotic Diseases
http://www-naweb.iaea.org/nafa/aph/aph-
multimedia.html#
Diagnosing Zoonotic Diseases - Training Video
http://www-naweb.iaea.org/nafa/aph/aph-
multimedia.html#
These stories as well as other articles are also available
under ‘Highlights’ on our Homepage
http://www-naweb.iaea.org/nafa/aph/index.html
Animal Production & Health Newsletter, No. 67, January 2018
23
Coordinated Research Projects
Project Number Ongoing CRPs Project Officers
D31028 Application of Nuclear and Genomic Tools to Enable for the Selection of
Animals with Enhanced Productivity Traits
M. Shamsuddin,
K. Periasamy
D31029 Quantification of intake and diet selection of ruminants grazing heterogeneous
pasture using compound specific stable isotopes
M. Shamsuddin
M. Garcia Podesta
D32031 Early and rapid diagnosis and control of TADs – second phase- African swine
fever
H. Unger
G.J. Viljoen
D32032 Early detection of transboundary animal diseases (TADs) to facilitate
prevention and control through a veterinary diagnostic laboratory network
(VETLAB Network)
I. Naletoski
C.E. Lamien
D32033 Irradiation of Transboundary animal disease (TAD) pathogens as vaccines
and immune inducers
H. Unger
G.J. Viljoen
D32034 Use of Stable Isotopes to Trace Bird Migrations and Molecular Nuclear
Techniques to Investigate the Epidemiology and Ecology of the Highly
Pathogenic Avian Influenza (Phase II)
I. Naletoski
G.J. Viljoen
Application of Nuclear And Genomic
Tools to Enable for the Selection of
Animals With Enhanced Productivity
Traits (D31028)
Technical Officers: Mohammed Shamsuddin and Mario
Garcia Podesta
The CRP aims at enabling Member States in the
application of genetic evaluation and selection involving
genomic tools in artificial insemination (AI) programmes
for rapid but sustainable improvement of livestock
productivity. Ten research contracts (RC) and three
research agreements (RA) have already been awarded.
Two major lines of research work are planned, one for
those who target crossbreeding and the other for those who
keep purebred taurine populations. The crossbreeding
group will aim at admixture analysis to assess the
distribution of genetic groups of crossbreds, evaluate their
performance and identify suitable genotypes for the
prevailing production systems. The group with purebred
taurine populations will work to estimate PTAs (Predicted
Transmitting Ability) of sires under local conditions, which
will be correlated with genomic PTAs of sires at their
origin. Two technical contracts were awarded, one on
whole genome sequencing of the radiation hybrid clones of
camel cells with that of hamster and the other on the use of
isotope labelled amino acids for the detection of proteins
synthesizes and released into maternal blood by embryos
(day 16 pregnancy) as a marker for early pregnancy
diagnosis tests. The second RCM will be held in late 2018
aiming at a midterm evaluation of the CRP and finalizing
work plans for the rest of the CRP period.
Quantification of Intake and Diet
Selection of Ruminants Grazing
Heterogeneous Pasture Using
Compound Specific Stable Isotopes
(D31029)
Technical Officers: Mohammed Shamsuddin and Mario
Garcia Podesta
The CRP aims at developing a practical method to predict
pasture intake of ruminants grazing heterogeneous pastures
and rangeland using stable isotopes to provide tools for
better grassland management that enhance animal
productivity and reduces impact on environment due to
overgrazing, and to allow the design of effective feed
supplementation strategies at farm level to optimize animal
production. The first research coordination meeting (RCM)
was held from 23 to 27 January 2017 at the Vienna
International Centre, Vienna, Austria.
During the first phase of the CRP, a minimum of eight
mature cattle/yaks will be penned and fed with a known set
of five pasture/browse fresh grasses. Half of the animals
will receive 10% extra of maintenance levels and the other
half will be fed ad libitum. During the enclosure, feed
composition and feed intake will be recorded, n-alkane will
be orally administered, and feeds and faecal samples will
Animal Production & Health Newsletter, No. 67, January 2018
24
be collected. This procedure will be conducted in two
major seasons within 18 months. Two technical contracts
(TCs) were awarded, one on the analysis of n-alkane and
stable carbon-13 isotope and the other on NIRS analysis of
forages, diets and faeces. Results from the two TCs will be
used in computing formulas for the estimation of dry
matter and diet composition of ruminants grazing on
heterogeneous pasture or ranch land. RC and TC holders
will report progress done based on these work plans in the
2nd RCM by the first quarter of 2019. Based on the results
obtained, additional research activities will be developed.
The Early and Rapid Diagnosis and
Control of Tads – Second Phase –
African Swine Fever (ASF) (D32031)
Technical Officers: Herman Unger and Charles Lamien
This CRP started in 2014 and focuses on evaluating
technologies which could help to control ASF worldwide.
African swine fever is a contagious viral disease of pigs
transmitted by ticks or through contact. In domesticated
pigs, it leads to acute disease with high mortality and
survivors are chronically infected serving as the reservoir
for further transmission. Wild boars are the natural
reservoir in Africa. Endemic in wide parts of sub-Saharan
Africa it has spread in the last 10 years to the Northern
Caucasus and keeps expanding primarily to the West and
North. The disease creates severe economic hardship for
pig farmers and due to the lack of a vaccine, culling and
quarantine measures are the only tools available to control
the disease. As pig production is in many cases a small-
scale business, farmers often lack the means and education
on how to fend off disease. Even with the availability of
diagnostic tools, some issues regarding ASF epidemiology
or virology are not understood.
Under the CRP, a validation trial for the serological
diagnostic ASF tests (ELISA based) has been completed
and the contract holders will now begin testing molecular
diagnostic tools to define the fitness for purpose for each
available test. In parallel, samples from infected pigs, wild
or domestic, will be collected for virus isolation. These
isolates should be further characterized by sequencing to
gain a better understanding of the genetic diversity on a
spatial scale. This knowledge together with information
regarding the pathology of each strain should allow some
insight into the underlying pathogenic mechanisms and
might help identify epitopes of interest for a candidate
vaccine. Finally, control measures will be initiated to see
how efficient they are in the context of small scale
commercial production. The first research coordination
meeting took place from 7 to 11 July 2014 in Vienna,
Austria. The second RCM took place from 20 to 24 June
2016 in Vienna, Austria.
Early Detection of Transboundary
Animal Diseases (Tads) to Facilitate
Prevention and Control Through a
Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
Network (VETLAB Network)
(D32032)
Technical officers: Ivancho Naletoski and Charles Lamien
The Veterinary Laboratory Network (VETLAB Network)
currently integrates 44 African and 19 Asian Member
States which are dedicated to the sharing of knowledge and
experience and to supporting each other during the
implementation of international standards, routine
diagnostic procedures, diagnostic approaches for specific
disease outbreaks, thus facilitating emergency preparedness
and response to animal health emergencies. The concept of
networking proved very successful during the rinderpest
eradication campaign. Nowadays, this concept has resulted
in great successes in some of the Member States where
diagnostic laboratories have received the ISO 17025
accreditation. Additionally, several other laboratories in
this network are in advanced phases of implementation of
the ISO 17025 standard and expect accreditation soon.
The VETLAB Network aims to establish a unique
regional/interregional communication and activity structure
which enables the sustainable functioning and upgrading of
the member laboratories under internationally recognized
principles.
A critical step for harmonization of diagnostic techniques is
the establishment of primary and/or secondary standards
(as appropriate) which can be used as references during the
calibration and maintenance of the diagnostic tests. The
present CRP will target the establishment of such standards
for use in serological and molecular diagnostic techniques
and produce the following outputs:
1. A set of internationally acceptable standards for the
serological diagnostic techniques for priority diseases
among the partners of the VETLAB Network;
2. A set of internationally acceptable standards for the
molecular diagnostic techniques for priority diseases
among the partners of the VETLAB Network;
3. Procedures for simultaneous detection of multiple
pathogens (multi-pathogen detection panels);
4. Procedure for easy access, free-of-charge genetic
sequencing services for pathogens of the priority diseases
among the partners of the VETLAB Network;
5. Establish an information platform for integrated
information collection, geo-visualization, analysis and
decision making.
Animal Production & Health Newsletter, No. 67, January 2018
25
The project team is comprised of eight research partners
(Argentina, Cameroon, Croatia, Ethiopia, Ivory Coast, The
FYR of Macedonia, Morocco and Sudan), two technical
partners (France and United Kingdom) and three agreement
holders (two from France and one from Australia). The first
RCM took place from 15 to 19 August 2016 in Vienna,
Austria. The second RCM took place from 7 to 11 August
2017 in Vienna, Austria.
Irradiation of Transboundary Animal
Disease (TAD) Pathogens as Vaccines
and Immune Inducers (D32033)
Technical officers: Hermann Unger and Gerrit Viljoen
A recent CRP on the ‘Evaluation of irradiation for vaccine
production’ clearly showed, that protection delivered
through irradiated pathogen preparations is possible.
Specifically, good results obtained with irradiated intestinal
and haemo-parasites allow us to speculate that one can
really induce protection against these parasites. This would
be a big relief for farmers as the use of anti-parasitic drugs
is expensive, reduces innate immunity and can lead to
resistant strains. As man and animals are both affected by
many parasites, this research addresses human health as
well.
A recent consultant meeting on immunology agreed that
vaccines against parasites will be a breakthrough in
livestock production as many of these parasites, in addition
to the symptoms and performance reduction they cause,
can have immune compromising effect which can lead to
other infectious diseases. So far, the irradiation of
Theileria, Haemonchus and Fasciola has been addressed
successfully and will now be followed up in this new CRP.
Theileria annulata trials were successful and the same
principle will now be tested with T. parva which causes
East Coast Fever (ECF). A vaccine exists for ECF, but in
~20% of cases the vaccine can be a source of ECF or it
does not induce adequate resistance. For Haemonchus
contortus the expansion of production of the stage III
larvae will be the major challenge. These irradiated larvae
given orally lead to >99% protection. But the larvae have
to be harvested from infected animals, which may be
infected with other infectious organisms (Fasciola hepatica
and F. gigantica are zoonotic parasites, i.e. they infect man
as well). Preliminary experiments with irradiated larvae
showed protection in terms of disease/ symptoms and
prevent challenge infections. Here the production of
metacercariae is the major problem and should be
addressed. An additional topic in this CRP is the evaluation
of irradiated pathogens as adjuvants. Gamma-irradiated
influenza A viruses have shown their great capacity to
induce a cellular immune response. So additional
pathogens will be irradiated and their immune response in
livestock tested. The first RCM took place from 3 to 7
April 2017 in Vienna, Austria.
Use of Stable Isotopes to Trace Bird
Migrations and Molecular Nuclear
Techniques to Investigate the
Epidemiology and Ecology of The
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
(Phase II) (D32034)
Technical Officers: Ivancho Naletoski and Gerrit Viljoen
The objective of this CRP is to evaluate the origin of wild
birds that carry avian influenza (AI) and other potentially
dangerous pathogens at their stopover places and match the
obtained results with the knowledge obtained through
conventional migration monitoring approaches. Stable
isotopes (SI) are promising huge potential when the origin
(migration) of individual wild birds is required, because the
probability of capturing labelled bird with specific
characteristics (disease carrier) using conventional methods
is negligible. Knowledge and experience obtained through
the previous project (D32030) will be of great value for the
success of this project.
The use of SI in migration studies of wild animals,
including wild birds, primarily in environmental protection
studies and conservation activities etc. has attracted the
attention of the scientific community; however, this can be
used in epidemiological studies which target long-range
transmissions of animal pathogens.
The development and maintenance of the IAEA Global
Network of Isotopes in Precipitation (GNIP) became a
significant facilitator of these studies, as it offered geo-
spatial reference values for correlation of the SI ratios in
the animal tissues (especially metabolically inert tissues
like beaks, claws and feathers) and the isotope ratios in the
environment (especially open waters).
During the first phase of the IAEA CRP (D32030: Use of
Stable Isotopes to Trace Bird Migrations and Molecular
Nuclear Techniques to Investigate the Epidemiology and
Ecology of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza) several
important fragments in the linking of SI ratios of feather
samples (bird migrations) with the epidemiology of AI
were established, including:
i) Development of a database of most common wild bird
carriers of AI, including their migration patterns obtained
from conventional studies (ringing, radio- and GPS
locators). This database is to be used as reference
information for the SI studies;
ii) Development of protocols for sampling, transport and
testing of samples obtained from wild migratory birds;
iii) Evaluation of “PrimeStore” as a solution to inactivate
pathogen infectivity by simultaneous preservation of the
viral RNA. The component was important to facilitate
Animal Production & Health Newsletter, No. 67, January 2018
26
international transport and decrease the price of
international shipment of samples;
iv) Adaptation of validated SOPs for detection of the AI
virus and the NDV virus in wild birds;
v) Development of a validated SOP for DNA barcoding of
feather samples, used for determination of the species from
feathers (or parts of feathers) collected from the
environment. The SOP can be also used for phylogeny of
genotypes within a single species;
vi) Development of an algorithm for SI assignment of birds
based on the feather and environmental (GNIP) SI ratios;
vii) Development of geo-visualization indicating the
probability of origin of the birds, calibrated using
established algorithms for SI assignment of birds.
Achievements of the CRP D32030 have shown not only
that the isotope assignment works, but have delivered a full
package of techniques that will compact and supplement
(SI component) the official wild bird monitoring
programmes of member states.
In the current project, the partners will focus on two critical
issues: to detect birds that carry avian influenza viruses and
eventually other dangerous pathogens and to evaluate the
stable isotope ratios in feathers of these birds (only the
pathogen carriers) to understand their origins and migration
pathways.
Submission of Proposals
Research contract proposal forms can be obtained from the
IAEA, the National Atomic Energy Commissions, UNDP
offices or by contacting the Technical Officer. The form
can also be downloaded from the URL:
http://cra.iaea.org/cra/index.html
Activities of the Animal
Production and Health Laboratory
Animal Genetics
Application of Nuclear and Genomic Tools
to Enable for the Selection of Animals with
Enhanced Productivity Traits
(CRP D31028)
Radiation hybrid mapping for dromedary camel
Radiation hybrid (RH) mapping has proven to be a reliable
technique for producing chromosome level maps, an
important prerequisite to develop genomic tools for
improving livestock productivity. The Animal Production
and Health Laboratory (APHL) recently completed the
construction of two camel RH panels (5000RAD and
15000RAD), with an average retention frequency of 47.7%
and 39% respectively. During 2017, APHL initiated the
development of the first generation RH map for dromedary
camels. About 200 oligos were designed from genomic
scaffolds that are putatively located in chromosome 16.
More than 100 oligos were optimized for PCR based typing
of RH clones. Standardization of PCR conditions for
remaining markers is currently in progress and the RH
genotype data will be utilized to order and assemble the
genomic scaffolds to camel chromosome 16.
Development and validation of a rapid, cost-effective
genotyping tool for the detection of FecB (marker for
twinning) in sheep
Mutations in a closely linked group of genes under the
transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) super family have
been established to affect ovulation rate and litter size in
sheep. Of these, bone morphogenetic protein receptor 1B
(BMP15RIB; FecB) has been the first major gene widely
attempted by researchers for marker assisted introgression
to improve litter size in sheep. The mutation in BMP15RIB
induces maturation of ovarian follicles by increasing the
sensitivity of the follicles to follicle-stimulating hormone
(FSH), thus resulting in higher ovulation rate and litter size.
The weighted mean advantage of ewes carrying one copy
of the FecB mutation was estimated to be +1.3 (range +0.8
to +2.0) for ovulation rate and +0.7 (range +0.4 to +1.3) for
litter size across different production systems and varying
recipient genetic background. Thus, with crossbreeding in
sheep, it is possible to achieve significant increases in
fecundity in a single generation. However, the advantage of
the FecB mutation on ovulation rate, litter size and ewe
productivity essentially depended on three major factors:
donor and recipient genetic background, production system
type, and potential maternal effect of recipient ewes. In
general, FecB introgression has been found to be
advantageous in small holder sheep production system,
particularly for meat production.
The DNA marker based genotyping tool helps to improve
the efficiency of back crossing and intercrossing in a
marker assisted introgression program. During 2017,
APHL initiated the development of a rapid, cost-effective
genotyping tool for the detection of FecB in sheep. A
simple and accurate competitive allele specific PCR based
genotyping method was developed and optimized. The
method has been validated and works well on at least three
real time PCR platforms. Utilizing the new method, more
than 1500 sheep belonging to various breeds and located
across Asia, Africa, Europe and Latin America were
screened. FecB was found in Indian and Indonesian sheep
as expected. Interestingly, all the local sheep populations
from Bangladesh were found to possess FecB with a
frequency ranging from 33.3% to 95.5% (next graphic).
Animal Production & Health Newsletter, No. 67, January 2018
27
Sheep populations from eastern and northern Bangladesh
showed good genetic potential for improved prolificacy
and meat production.
(top) Competitive allele specific PCR based FecB genotyping; (bottom
left) Frequency of FecB genotypes among Bangladeshi sheep
populations; (bottom right) Frequency of FecB alleles among
Bangladeshi sheep populations
Implementing Global Plan of Action for
Animal Genetic Resources (AnGR)
Genetic characterization of indigenous guinea fowl
populations in Burkina Faso (BKF5017)
In continuation of Joint FAO/IAEA efforts towards
implementing the Global Plan of Action on animal genetic
resources (AnGR), APHL supported genetic
characterization of native guinea fowl populations in
Burkina Faso through the IAEA technical cooperation
project, BKF5017. Two fellows, Ms Fabiola Traore and
Mr Amadou Traore, were trained on molecular genetic
characterization using nuclear and extra-nuclear DNA
markers. Guinea fowl is an important backyard poultry
species in Africa providing livelihood and nutritional
security in rural areas. Local guinea fowl populations in
Burkina Faso remain largely under-utilized due to a lack of
sufficient information on their genetic and production
characteristics. During 2017, APHL designed and
developed five sets of DNA marker panels for molecular
characterization of guinea fowls. All the five sets involving
18 different markers were optimized for automated
genotyping. A total of 192 Guinea fowl located in six
regions (Tenado, Dori, Gaoua, Tenkodogo, Fada and
Ouagadougou) were genotyped and analysis of data is
currently in progress. The results of molecular
characterization will help to classify native Burkina Guinea
fowl populations into different groups based on their
genetic characteristics. Different genetic groups of Burkina
Guinea fowl will be tested subsequently for their fertility
and growth performance under field conditions to identify
the most suitable ecotype under prevailing guinea fowl
production systems.
Animal Health
Defining Cell Mediated Immune (CMI)
Responses in Hosts Vaccinated with
Irradiated Vaccines
Long term immunity induced against vaccines is a key
outcome in successful vaccines which is mediated by both
humoral and cell mediated immune (CMI) responses.
Measuring specific antibodies raised against vaccine
antigens is the standard method of assaying humoral
immunity and is frequently used in human and animal
vaccines. However, in certain vaccines, especially with
viral diseases, this does not always correlate with the
protection produced by vaccines.
The APHL in collaboration with institutions in several
Member States is conducting a research programme to
develop novel irradiated prototype vaccines against
important livestock pathogens, including Brucella, avian
influenza, trypanosoma and gastro-intestinal parasites. The
APHL and AGES are also working together on the
evaluation of irradiated porcine reproductive and
respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus and swine influenza
virus as candidates for novel vaccines.
In addition to producing irradiated organisms, one of the
key supports in these experiments by APHL is to monitor
CMI responses in vaccinated animals. In order to define
CMI responses, we assayed CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes
which are two effector cell subsets that are very important
in confirming immunity against viruses. Once an effector
immune cell is activated against a pathogen, it starts
proliferating and starts producing cytokines. Among these
cytokines, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha and Interleukin (IL)-2
are strong indicators of Th1 type of immunity that yields
robust responses. We measured the percentage of CD4 and
CD8 lymphocytes (poly-functional lymphocytes; graphic
below) that would produce all these three cytokines at
single cell level by employing Boolean gating. The value of
this was shown in preliminary experiments in which some
of the vaccinated animals showed CMI but none showed
humoral responses.
Percentage of poly-functional CD4 (blue) and CD8 (red) cells in
peripheral blood from swine vaccinated with irradiated (30 kGy) PRRS
virus (PRRS) or irradiated (30 kGy) swine influenza virus or
combination of both of above (PRRS+SIV). Purified peripheral blood
lymphocytes were pulsed with PRRS or SIV and intra cellular cytokine
production and cell surface markers were analysed by a flow cytometer
following staining with fluorescent conjugated monoclonal antibodies
against these markers.
Animal Production & Health Newsletter, No. 67, January 2018
28
Effect of Irradiation on Vaccine Adjuvant
Liposomes Containing Monophosphoryl
lipid A (MPLA)
Vaccines induce long term immunity against infectious
diseases through the activation of the host adaptive immune
system. However, it is the innate immune system that
recognizes the vaccine antigens at the site of inoculation
through antigen presenting cells such as dendritic cells
(DC) which eventually activate the adaptive immune
system. Many vaccines, especially the subunit, lack the
ability to activate the innate immune system - hence they
need the extra boost through vaccine adjuvants. Liposomes
are nanoscale molecules with at least one lipid bilayer and
are used as carriers to deliver vaccine antigens.
Monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA) is a compound that is
derived from lipopolysaccharides of the walls of gram
negative bacteria which is safe and extremely potent in
activating the cells of the innate immune system.
Therefore, liposomes containing MPLA are excellent
vaccine adjuvants and have been used along with many
vaccine formulations to increase their potency.
Filtration is the method used to sterilize liposomes during
production. However, some liposomes containing MPLA
that consist of saturated phospholipids are too large to be
filtered and gamma irradiation could be used for
sterilization. In the past, several groups have tried using
irradiation on different types of liposomes with variable
success rates. At the APHL, we have developed a bovine
DC biology programme and the biological effects of
irradiation on MPLA liposomes were evaluated through
DCs. This was a collaborative effort with another
organization based in Vienna, Austria: Polymun Scientific
Immunbiologische Forschung GmbH. The results obtained
thus suggest that irradiation of MPLA liposomes at a dose
of 25 kGy at room temperature does not change their
adjuvant effect, rather it increases its potential in certain
ways. This was confirmed by a slight decrease in antigen
uptake ability and unaffected maturation (expression of
MHC class II and CD86; graphic below) of bovine
monocyte derived (MO)DC with irradiated liposomes.
Furthermore, the chemical and physical properties of the
liposomes were also unaffected by irradiation at room
temperature with 25 kGy dose. Irradiation with the same
dose under frozen conditions increased adjuvant activities
of the liposomes further by increasing the antigen uptake.
However, the physical and chemical properties were
changed.
These results suggest that irradiation can potentially be
used to sterilize MPLA liposomes and in future it will also
be possible to use such adjuvants to increase the
immunogenicity of the vaccines, including the irradiated
ones.
Expression of maturation markers of bovine MoDC when incubated
without or with liposomes treated with without irradition. Mean
fluoresnce intensity (MFI) of CD86 and MHC Class II is shown.
Fighting Poultry Infectious Diseases in
Africa: the First Identification of Clade E
Avipoxvirus in the Continent
Fowl pox (FP), caused by avipoxviruses, is endemic and
commonly reported in Mozambique. The disease causes
significant economic losses in domestic poultry as a result
of a drop in the egg production, reduced growth, blindness
and increased mortality which can reach 50%.
Samples from sixteen separate FP outbreaks were collected
from four provinces by the Agrarian Research Institute of
Mozambique between August 2015 and November 2016.
The outbreaks primarily affected backyard chickens and
commercial laying hens although a flock of broilers and
another of turkeys were also investigated. The ante-mortem
clinical signs and lesions reported included reduction of
appetite, listlessness, nodules and/or scabs of different sizes
on less feathered areas and pronounced ulcerations on the
interdigital space. Different colour tones and irregular
wrinkled shells were also observed on eggs.
Sixteen samples were positive following amplification with
FP–specific primers. Amplicons were purified and
sequenced. A phylogenetic analysis using the 4b protein
gene sequences revealed that the majority of the samples
collected contained virus that clustered in subclade A1
which has already been identified in Africa. However, two
samples taken from chickens vaccinated against FP from
two separate outbreaks three months apart were of
particular interest because they clustered in clade E with a
recently described avipoxvirus isolated in Hungary in 2011.
Animal Production & Health Newsletter, No. 67, January 2018
29
Phylogenetic analysis of avipoxviruses from Mozambique in 2015-2016
using a 4b protein gene fragment. Samples sequenced in this study are
shown with black filled circles.
The identification of a clade E virus in Mozambique is
intriguing and requires further investigation in order to
understand how a virus which has only been reported once
found its way to Mozambique.
In the meantime, the presence of FP in birds vaccinated
against FP viruses requires urgent formulation of
vaccination procedures and control strategies in
Mozambique.
Molecular Epidemiology of African Swine
Fever in Africa
The Animal Production and Health Laboratory (APHL)
supports the efforts of several African Member States to
tackle African swine fever (ASF) by reinforcing the local
laboratory capacities to detect and perform in-depth
analysis of the ASF virus (ASFV). APHL is also
supporting several Member States to better characterize
their local isolates in order to improve the understanding of
ASFV diversity and epidemiology. Recently, APHL has
taken advantage of its repository of ASFV samples to
analyse the CD2v genes of isolates from various countries:
Cote d’Ivoire, Mali and Nigeria in western Africa;
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in central Africa;
and Mozambique in southern Africa. The CD2v gene has
been reported to carry information enabling the
determination of ASFV serotypes. The phylogenetic
comparison of the partial sequence of the CD2v gene to a
set of previously characterized ASFV serogroups (graphic
below) revealed that eight isolates collected in western
Africa (Mali, Cote d’Ivoire and Nigeria) belonging to P72
genotype I, clustered with ASFV serogroup SG4. Four
isolates from DRC belonging to P72 genotype I clustered
with serogroup SG2. This is in agreement with previous
findings showing that most ASFV from genotype I belong
to the serogroups SG1, SG2 or SG4. Nevertheless, two
isolates from DRC (DRC01 and DRC05) did not fall within
any of the known serogroups. DRC01 which belongs to
ASFV P72 genotype IX clusters with a Kenyan isolate
(ken06.bus) which is not yet assigned to any of the known
serogroups. The isolate DRC05 was closer to, but clearly
distinct from, M-78 isolate of Mozambique (serogroup
SG3). All isolates from Mozambique (7) that we have
previously characterized as belonging to ASFV P72
genotype II clustered with serogroup SG8. This is also in
agreement with previous findings showing that most ASFV
from genotype II belong to the serogroup SG8.
Maximum likelihood tree of ASFV CD2v protein sequences. The isolates
of this study are highlighted with orange dots.
KF722863 (TANZANIA)
HM623675 (CHINA)
FPV-MOZ-788/2015 (layer chicken)
FPV-MOZ-778/2015 (layer chicken)
FPV-MOZ-54/2016 (backyard chicken)
FPV-MOZ-704/2015 (backyard chicken)
FPV-MOZ-852/2015 (backyard chicken)
KP987214 (NIGERIA)
FPV-MOZ-52/2016 (turkey)
FPV-MOZ-397/2016 (backyard chicken)
FPV-MOZ-398/2016 (backyard chicken)
FPV-MOZ-508/2016 (backyard chicken)
FPV-MOZ-392/2016 (backyard chicken)
FPV-MOZ-728/2015 (layer chicken)
A1
KC018000 (USA)
KC018002 (USA)A6
KC018008 (HUNGARY)
KC018010 (SPAIN)A7
KC017971 (HUNGARY)
KC821559 (RSA)A2
KC017983 (S. KOREA)
KC017987 (ARGENTINA)A3
KC017993 (USA)
KC017995 (USA)A5
KC017988 (HUNGARY)
KC017989 (HUNGARY)A4
Clade A
KC018014 (USA)
KC018058 (SPAIN)B1
KC018063 (USA)
KC018065 (USA)B2
DQ131896 (USA)
DQ131893 (USA)B3
FPV-MOZ-608/2016 (layer chicken)
FPV-MOZ-980/2016 (layer chicken)
KP728110 (HUNGARY)
Clade E
Clade D GQ180200 (ITALY)
AY530311 (GERMANY)
AM050383 (UK)Clade C
MZ16 778G CD2v
MZ16 780 1 CD2v
MZ16 737B CD2v
MZ16 130 1 CD2v
988-1/2016 CD2v
151-2/2017 CD2v
120-B/2017 CD2v
ASFV Krasnodar 2012 (KJ195682)
ASFV Volgograd 2012 wb (KM609363)
ASFV Georgia 2007 1 (FR682468)
ASFV Krasnodar 2012 dom (KM609342) SG8
ASFV Malawi Lil-20 1 1983 (AY261361)
ASFV Rhodesia (KM609354)
SG8
ASFV Magadi (KM609348) SG
ASFV Warmbaths (AY261365)
ASFV DAvis (KM609336) SG
SG5 ASFV T-67-PPK-1 (KM609386) SG5
SG6 ASFV TS-7/27-230 (KM609388) SG6
ASFV Killearn (KM609372) SG
ASFV Warthog (AY261366)
ASFV Spencer South Africa (KM609357)
ASFV K-49 Zaire (KM609339) SG2
ASFV Silva-1 Angola (KM609356)
drc99 05a CD2v
DRC02
DRC06
DRC07
SG2
SG3 ASFV M-78 (KM609346) SG3
DCR05CD2v
ASFV Mkuzi 1979 (AY261362)
ASFV Bartlett (KM609335) SG
ASFV Ken06.Bus (KM111295)
DRC01CD2v
SG1 ASFV L-57 (KM609344) SG1
SG7 ASFV Tengani 62 (AY261364) SG7
ASFV 26544 OG10 Italy (KM102979)
ASFV 47 Ss 2008 Sardenia (KX354450)
ASFV BA71V (U18466) SG4
ASFV Benin 97 1 (AM712239)
ASFV strain NH-P68 (AY463915)
CIV07
Mali01
Nigeria13
Nigeria25
Nigeria29
Nigeria30
Nigeria52
Nigeria06
SG4
Animal Production & Health Newsletter, No. 67, January 2018
30
Interlaboratory Trial for Peste des Petits
Ruminants (PPR) 2017
This year as in previous ones, the APHL organized an
interlaboratory trial (ILT) for peste des petits ruminants
(PPR) diagnosis. The ILT is an exercise to evaluate in a
qualitative manner, the ability of the participating
laboratories to detect the presence of antibodies against, or
genome from, peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV). The
laboratories use well-established serological and molecular
techniques in a panel of samples prepared and distributed
by the APHL. In 2017, the test panel consisted of 20
gamma-irradiated vials in total; ten for nucleic acid and ten
for antibody detection. In total, 31 laboratories in 27
countries (19 from Africa, seven from Asia and one from
the EU) confirmed their participation.
Upon completion of the exercise, a final confidential report
will be sent to the participating laboratories. The APHL
will discuss with laboratories that have scored less than
100%, in a confidential and individual manner, issues
regarding ways to improve diagnostic methods and
techniques.
The APHL encourages all members of its laboratory
network to participate in future proficiency tests as they are
useful exercises to determine the ability of a laboratory to
diagnose PPRV (VETLAB CRP D32032/ARF/PUI).
Fellows/interns/consultants
Ms Betty Kenny Uranoli from the University of Natural
Resources and Environment, Papua New Guinea was
trained on “DNA marker based molecular characterization
of livestock” for two months (1 June 2017 to 31 July 2017)
under TC fellowship (PAP/16001).
Ms María Agustina Raschia from Instituto Nacional de
Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
was trained on “Bioinformatics analysis of genotypic data
on host genetic resistance against gastro-intestinal parasites
in sheep” for three months (7 August 2017 to 27 October
2017) under TC fellowship (ARG/16032).
Ms Hussaina Makun from National Animal Production
Research Institute, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Nigeria
was trained on “Real time PCR based species detection and
genetic diversity analysis of Haemonchus parasites” for
three months (7 August 2017 to 3 November 2017) under
TC fellowship (NIR/16021).
Ms Fabiola Traore from Département Productions
Animales, Institut de l'Environnement et de Recherches
Agricoles (INERA), Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso was
trained on “Molecular genetic characterization of Guinea
Fowl populations breeds using nuclear and extra-nuclear
DNA markers” for three months (11 September 2017 to 8
December 2017) under TC fellowship (BKF5017).
Mr Amadou Traore from Département Productions
Animales, Institut de l'Environnement et de Recherches
Agricoles (INERA), Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso was
trained on ‘Bioinformatics analysis of molecular genetic
data on breed characterization in livestock’ for two weeks
(23 October 2017 to 3 November 2017) under TC
fellowship (BKF5017).
Mr Sengxay Phonthasi from the National Animal Health
Laboratory, Vientiane, Laos was trained on
‘Transboundary animal diseases: diagnosis and
characterization of pathogens’ for two months (1 October
to 30 November 2017) under TC fellowship (LA/17006).
Animal Production & Health Newsletter, No. 67, January 2018
31
Technical Cooperation Projects
Country
TC Project Description
Technical
Officer(s)
Angola
ANG5013
Applying Nuclear and Molecular Techniques for Diagnosis and Control of
Transboundary Animal Diseases
G. Viljoen
I. Naletoski
Burundi
BDI5002
Improving Animal Production Through Enhanced Application of Nuclear
and Related Techniques
H. Unger
Benin
BEN5010
Using Nuclear Techniques for Better Utilization of Local Feed Resources
and Improved Reproduction Practices to Enhance Productivity and Conserve
Nature
M. Shamsuddin
Bangladesh
BGD5030
Building Capacity to Improve Dairy Cows Using Molecular and Nuclear
Techniques
M. Shamsuddin
G. Viljoen
Burkina
Faso
BKF5017
Using Modern Animal Breeding Methods, Nuclear and Genomic Tools to
Improve Dairy Production in Smallholder Production Systems
K. Periasamy
M. Shamsuddin
Burkina
Faso
BKF5021
Improving Local Poultry Production Through Incorporation of
Nutraceuticals in Feeds and Genetic Characterization
M. Shamsuddin
Botswana
BOT5015
Establishing District Laboratories that use Nuclear and Molecular
Techniques for Early and Rapid Diagnosis of Endemic and Transboundary
Animal Diseases
G. Viljoen
C. Lamien
Botswana
BOT5016
Developing the Application of Immunological and Molecular nuclear and
Nuclear Derived Early and Rapid Diagnosis and Control of Transboundary
Animal and Zoonotic Diseases
G. Viljoen
Belize
BZE5007
Supporting Sustainable Capacity Building through Distance Learning for
Laboratory Personnel of the National Agricultural Health Authority
G. Viljoen
Belize
BZE5009
Establishing Early and Rapid Diagnoses and Control of Transboundary
Animal and Zoonotic Diseases
G. Viljoen
Central
African R
CAF5009
Controlling Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia and Peste des Petit
Ruminants
H. Unger
Central
African R
CAF5010
Building National Capacities for the Diagnosis and Control of Animal
Diseases and for Increasing Animal Production
H. Unger
Chad
CHD5005
Studying the Causes of Pulmonary Diseases in Small Ruminants H. Unger
C. Lamien
Cameroon
CMR5019
Using Nuclear Techniques to Improve Milk Production M. Garcia Podesta
M. Shamsuddin
H. Unger
K. Periasamy
Animal Production & Health Newsletter, No. 67, January 2018
32
Country
TC Project Description
Technical
Officer(s)
Cameroon
CMR5022
Controlling Transboundary Animal diseases with Special Emphasis on Peste
des Petits Ruminants
H. Unger
El Salvador
ELS5012
Optimizing Livestock Production Systems through Cultivation and Efficient
Use of Local Feed Resources, Monitoring of Performance and Reduction of
Environmental Pollution through Solid Waste and Biogas Utilization
M. Shamsuddin
I. Naletoski
Eritrea
ERI5010
Increasing Small Scale Dairy Production Through Improved Feeding, Cattle
Management and Higher Conception Rates, Thereby Improving Rural
Livelihood and Contributing to Food Security
M. Shamsuddin
Ethiopia
ETH5020
Enhancing the Livelihood of Rural Communities through Addressing Major
Zoonotic and Economically Important Small Ruminant Diseases
H. Unger
C. Lamien
Indonesia
INS5042
Improving Cattle Productivity Through Improved Feeding and Enhanced
Reproduction
M. Shamsuddin
INT5155 Sharing Knowledge on the Sterile Insect and Related Techniques for the
Integrated Area-Wide Management of Insect Pests and Human Disease
Vectors
I. Naletoski
Côte d'Ivoire
IVC5038
Studying Small Ruminant Respiratory Diseases H. Unger
G. Viljoen
Cambodia
KAM5003
Supporting Sustainable Livestock Production M. Shamsuddin
M. Garcia
Kenya
KEN5038
Using Nuclear Techniques to Evaluate and Improve the Impact of Mutated
Forages on the Performance of Smallholder Dairy Cows
M. Shamsuddin
Lao P.D.R.
LAO5003
Using Nuclear and Molecular Techniques for Early and Rapid Diagnosis
and Control of Transboundary Animal Diseases in Livestock
G. Viljoen
Lao P.D.R.
LAO5004
Enhancing National Capability for Crop Production and Controlling Trans-
Boundary Animal Diseases
G. Viljoen
Lesotho
LES5006
Enhancing Animal Production and the Health of Sheep and Goats in
Lesotho
G. Viljoen
Lesotho
LES5007
Enhancing Livestock Production and Health G. Viljoen
Madagascar
MAG5024
Applying Nuclear and DNA-Based Techniques to Improve Productivity of
Local Livestock germplasm through an efficient artificial insemination
programme.
M. Shamsuddin
K. Periasamy
Mauritius
MAR5025
Improving the Productivity of Dairy Cattle through On-Farm Application of
Achieved Research Information on Feeding Practices
M. Shamsuddin
Mauritania
MAU5004
Supporting Genetic Improvement of Local Cattle Breeds and Strengthening
the Control of Cross-Border Diseases
H. Unger
M. Shamsuddin
Animal Production & Health Newsletter, No. 67, January 2018
33
Country
TC Project Description
Technical
Officer(s)
Mauritania
MAU5007
Supporting Genetic Improvement of Local Cattle Breeds and Strengthening
the Control of Cross-Border Diseases - Phase II
M. Shamsuddin
Mali
MLI5026
Improving the Diagnosis of Livestock Diseases I. Naletoski
C. Lamien
Mali
MLI5027
Using Nuclear and Molecular Techniques for Early and Rapid Diagnosis,
Epidemiological Surveillance and Control of Transboundary Animal
Diseases
I. Naletoski
C. Lamien
Mali
MLI5029
Upgrading Capacities to Differentiate Priority Animal and Zoonotic
Diseases Using Nuclear Related Molecular Techniques
I. Naletoski
Malawi
MLW5002
Strengthening Capacity for the Diagnosis, Prevention and Control of Animal
Diseases of Public Health Importance
H. Unger
Montenegro
MNE5003
Improving Diagnosis of Animal Diseases and Food Pathogens I. Naletoski
Mongolia
MON5022
Implementing Early Diagnosis and Rapid Control of Transboundary Animal
Diseases, Including Foot-and-Mouth disease (FMD) and Peste des Petits
Ruminants (PPR)
H. Unger
G. Viljoen
Mongolia
MON5023
Enhancing Livestock Production Through the Improved Diagnosis and
Prevention of Transboundary Animal Diseases
H. Unger
G. Viljoen
Morocco
MOR5037
Enhancing Control of Chemical Food and Feed Contaminants, Animal
Disease Diagnosis and Trade in Fresh Fruits
I. Naletoski
Mozambique
MOZ5007
Enhancing Mutation Breeding of Sorghum and Pearl Millet to Develop High
Yield, Disease Resistance and Drought Tolerance
G.Viljoen
Mozambique
MOZ5008
Strengthening National Capacity for the Application of Nuclear and Related
Techniques to Improve Animal Health and Production
G.Viljoen
Myanmar
MYA5024
Supporting the National Foot-and-Mouth Disease Control Programme G. Viljoen
Myanmar
MYA5026
Improving the Livelihoods of Smallholder Livestock Farmers by
Developing Animal Feeding Strategies for Enhanced Food Security
M. Shamsuddin
Nepal
NEP5004
Improving Animal Productivity and Control of Transboundary Animal
Diseases using Nuclear and Molecular Techniques: Phase II
I. Naletoski
Nepal
NEP5005
Strengthening Capacity in Veterinary Diagnosis I. Naletoski
Nigeria
NIR5040
Controlling Parasitic and Transboundary Animal Diseases to Improve
Animal Productivity in Smallholder Farms Using Nuclear and Molecular
Techniques
I. Naletoski,
Animal Production & Health Newsletter, No. 67, January 2018
34
Country
TC Project Description
Technical
Officer(s)
Pakistan
PAK5050
Developing a Facility for the Diagnosis of Transboundary Animal Diseases
and Vaccine Production
H. Unger,
V. Wijewardana
Palestine
PAL5007
Upgrading Animal Feeding Laboratory in Terms of Human Capacity
Building and Infrastructure
I. Naletoski,
M. Shamsuddin
Papua New
Guinea
PAP5002
Genetically Characterizing and Improving Productivity of Cattle by
Enhanced Reproduction and Better Feeding
K. Periasamy,
M. Shamsuddin
Papua New
Guinea
PAP5003
Enhancing Genetic Characterization and Improving Productivity of Cattle
by Enhanced Reproduction and Better Feeding - PHASE-II
M. Shamsuddin
Peru
PER5032
Conducting Genetic Characterization of Alpacas for Resistance to Diseases K. Periasamy,
M. Shamsuddin
Congo, Rep.
PRC5001
Monitoring Livestock Diseases and Certifying Animal Health H. Unger
RAF0042 Promoting the Sustainability and Networking of National Nuclear
Institutions for Development
I. Naletoski
RAF5068 Improving Livestock Productivity through Strengthened Transboundary
Animal Disease Control using Nuclear Technologies to Promote Food
Security (AFRA)
H. Unger
C. Lamien
RAF5073 Strengthening Africa’s Regional Capacity for Diagnosis of Emerging or Re-
emerging Zoonotic Diseases, including Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), and
Establishing Early Warning Systems.
H. Unger
I. Naletoski
RAS5078 Enhancing Food Safety Laboratory Capabilities and Establishing a Network
in Asia to Control Veterinary Drug Residues and Related Chemical
Contaminants
G. Viljoen
RER5023 Enhancing National Capabilities for Early and Rapid Detection of Priority
Vector Borne Diseases of Animals (Including Zoonoses) by Means of
Molecular Diagnostic Tools
I. Naletoski
RER9137 Enhancing National Capabilities for Response to Nuclear and Radiological
Emergencies
I. Naletoski
RLA5071 Decreasing the Parasite Infestation Rate of Sheep (ARCAL CXLIV) M. Shamsuddin
Senegal
SEN5036
Controlling Mycoplasma mycoides Infection — Contagious Bovine
Pleuropneumonia (CBPP) and Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia
(CCPP)
H. Unger
Seychelles
SEY5008
Building Capacity for Diagnosis of Animal Diseases using Nuclear and
related Techniques (Phase I)
H. Unger
G. Viljoen
Sierra Leone
SIL5018
Strengthening Artificial Insemination and Disease Diagnosis Services
Coupled with Improved Feeding to Enhance the Productivity of Cattle
H. Unger
M. Shamsuddin
Animal Production & Health Newsletter, No. 67, January 2018
35
Country
TC Project Description
Technical
Officer(s)
Sierra Leone
SIL5019
Strengthening Capacities for the Diagnosis and Control of Zoonoses to
Improve Public Health Services and Livestock Production
H. Unger
Sri Lanka
SRL5045
Establishing a National Centre for Nuclear Agriculture H. Unger
C. Lamien
Sri Lanka
SRL5046
Improving Livelihoods Through Dairy Cattle Production: Women Farmers’
Empowerment
M. Shamsuddin
M. Garcia Podesta
Sudan
SUD5036
Improving Livestock Production for Enhanced Food Security through
Genetic Improvement of Indigenous Animal Breeds Using Artificial
Insemination, Improved Nutrition and Adequate Animal Disease Control
Measures
I. Naletoski
M. Garcia Podesta
Syrian Arab
Republic
SYR5025
Enhancing the Nutritive and Reproductive Characteristics of Small
Ruminants by Means of Nuclear and other Related Techniques Using
Locally Available Unconventional Feed Resources
M. Shamsuddin
Togo
TOG5001
Improving and Promoting Bovine Milk Production through Artificial
Insemination
M. Shamsuddin
Tunisia
TUN5028
Supporting Watering Strategies to Help Livestock Raised in Semiarid and
Arid Regions Coping with Climate Change
M. Garcia Podesta
I. Naletoski
Uganda
UGA5035
Improving Food Safety through Surveillance of Fish Diseases H. Unger
C. Lamien
Uganda
UGA5038
Supporting National Animal Production and Productivity through the
Establishment of Regional Animal Health Centres and Improving Disease
Control at the National Animal Disease Diagnostics and Epidemiology
Centre
H. Unger
U.R. of
Tanzania
URT5031
Improving Indigenous Cattle Breeds through Enhanced Artificial
Insemination Service Delivery in Coastal Areas
M. Shamsuddin
Vietnam
VIE5019
Applying Nuclear Related Techniques for Transboundary Animal Diseases
(TADs) Diagnosis
G. Viljoen
V. Wijewardana
Yemen
YEM5012
Improving Diagnostic and Analytical Capabilities of the Central Veterinary
Laboratory Including Residue Testing of Animal Products
H. Unger
Yemen
YEM5014
Improving Management of Small Ruminants H. Unger
D.R. Congo
ZAI5023
Upgrading Laboratory Services for Capacity Building in Fish and
Aquaculture Diseases as a Contribution to Sustainable Poverty Alleviation
and Sanitary Security of Food
H. Unger
D.R. Congo
ZAI5024
Upgrading Vaccine Production to Protect Livestock from Transboundary
Animal Disease
H. Unger
V. Wijewardana
Animal Production & Health Newsletter, No. 67, January 2018
36
Country
TC Project Description
Technical
Officer(s)
D.R. Congo
ZAI5027
Developing Early and Rapid Diagnosis and Control of Transboundary and
Zoonotic Diseases
H. Unger
Zimbabwe
ZIM5022
Establishing Molecular Epidemiology Methods, Tissue Culture and
Production of Biological Reagents for the Surveillance of Livestock
Diseases
I. Naletoski
V. Wijewardana
Zimbabwe
ZIM5024
Establishing an Artificial Insemination Center to Enhance the Rebuilding of
the National Herd
M. Shamsuddin
Publications
Publications in Scientific Journals
Grema M, Traoré A, Issa M, Hamani M, Abdou M,
Soudré A, Sanou M, Pichler R, Tamboura H, Alhassane Y,
Periasamy K. 2017. Short tandem repeat (STR) based
genetic diversity and relationship of indigenous Niger
cattle. Arch Anim Breeding. doi: 10.5194/aab–3–1–2017
Shatar M, Khanui B, Purevtseren D, Khishgee B, Loitsch
A, Unger H, Settypalli TBK, Cattoli G, Damdinjav B,
Dundon WG. 2017. First genetic characterization of peste
des petits ruminants virus from Mongolia. Arch Virol 7.
doi: 10.1007/s00705–017–3456–4
Diall O, Cecchi G, Wanda G, Argilés-Herrero R, Vreysen
MJB, Cattoli G, Viljoen GJ, Mattioli R, Bouyer J. 2017.
Developing a progressive control pathway for African
animal trypanosomosis. Trends Parasitol 33: 499-509. doi:
10.1016/j.pt.2017.02.005
Ferrara F, Molesti E, Scott S, Cattoli G, Temperton N.
2017. The use of hyperimmune chicken reference sera is
not appropriate for the validation of influenza pseudotype
neutralization assays. Pathogens 6(4): E45. doi:
10.3390/pathogens6040045
Milani A, Fusaro A, Bonfante F, Zamperin G, Salviato A,
Mancin M, Mastrorilli E, Hughes J, Hussein HA, Hassan
M, Mundt E, Terregino C, Cattoli G, Monne I. 2017.
Vaccine immune pressure influences viral population
complexity of avian influenza virus during infection. Vet
Microbiol 203: 88–94. doi: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2017.02.016
Cattoli G, Lamien C, Naletoski I, Viljoen G. 2017.
Surveillance and control of lumpy skin disease: a challenge
affecting three continents. EMPRES 360(4): 57–58.
Wijewardana V, Kangethe R, Samarakoon Y, Cattoli G,
Viljoen G. 2017. Changing the landscape of measuring
livestock vaccine potency in developing countries and
challenges involved. Nat Fauna 31(2): 9–12.
Impressum
Animal Production and Health Newsletter No. 67
The APH Newsletter is prepared twice per year by the Animal Production and Health
Section, Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture and
FAO/IAEA Agriculture & Biotechnology Laboratory, Seibersdorf.
International Atomic Energy Agency
Vienna International Centre, PO Box 100, 1400 Vienna, Austria
Printed by the IAEA in Austria, January 2018
Disclaimer
This newsletter has not been edited by the
editorial staff of the IAEA. The views
expressed remain the responsibility of the contributors and do not necessarily represent
the views of the IAEA or its Member States.
The use of particular designations of countries or territories does not imply any
judgement by the publisher, the IAEA, as to
the legal status of such countries or territories, of their authorities and
institutions or of the delimitation of their
boundaries. 17-52421
top related